'    THE 

;  :  Am.  Bap.  Publication  | 

AND  S.  SCHOOL  SOCIETY, 


&& 

PRINCETON,     N.     J. 

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LIVES 


VIRGINIA  BAPTIST  MINISTERS. 

SECOND  EDITION,  REVISED  AND  ENLARGED. 


BY    JAMES    B. 'TAYLOR, 

Pastor  of  the  Second  Baptist  Church,  Richmond. 


RICHMOND: 

YALE  St  WYATT.  ARMSTRONG  &  BERRY,  Baltimore.  BAPTIST  GEN- 
ERAL TRACT  DEPOSITORY,  Philadelphia.  GOULD,  KENDALL  &  LIN- 
COLN, Boston. 

18  3  8. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1838,  by  James  B.  Tati.or, 
in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  Eastern  Virginia, 


PREFACE  TO  THE   FIRST   EDITION. 


In  the  work  of  human  redemption,  the  divine  Being  has  given  a  sub- 
limely glorious  exhibition  of  his  perfections.  This  display  is  made,  not 
only  in  the  person  and  work  of  Christ,  but  by  the  Spirit's  influence  on 
the  hearts  and  lives  of  men.  Hence,  the  biography  of  the  eminently 
pious,  may  well  be  regarded  with  deep  and  lively  interest.  In  every 
transgressor,  converted  from  the  error  of  his  way,  we  behold  a  monu- 
ment on  which  is  inscribed  the  triumph  of  the  gospel.  Especially  is 
this  true  in  reference  to  those  who,  with  becoming  zeal,  labor  as  the 
heralds  of  the  cross.  Not  only  will  they  shine  "as  the  stars  of  the 
firmament"  in  a  future  state,  but  even  in  this  world  they  reflect,  with 
no  common  lustre,  the  glory  of  their  divine  Redeemer. 

The  author  of  the  following  pages  has  long  believed  that  an  essential 
service  might  be  rendered  to  the  cause  of  truth  and  'righteousness,  by 
preparing  a  judicious  biography  of  prominent  Virginia  Baptist  Ministers. 
To  some  extent,  this  work  was  executed  by  the  venerated  Semple,  in 
an  appendix  to  his  History  of  Virginia  Baptists.  The  publication  of 
those  sketches  sufficiently  indicated  the  utility  of  embracing,  in  a  sep- 
arate volume,  a  brief  survey  of  the  lives  and  labors  of  all  those  eminent 
Virginia  Baptist  preachers  who  have  gone  to  their  reward. 

This  work  has  been  undertaken  by  the  author,  with  the  earnest  hope 
that  some  good  might  be  effected.  He  has  presented  a  collection  of 
portraits,  and,  so  far  as  opportunity  has  been  furnished,  he  has  faithfully 
sketched  the  intellectual  and  moral  features  of  his  brethren  now  no 
more.  If,  in  any  instance,  he  has  failed,  the  failure  has  been  uninten- 
tional. He  has  not  wished  to  magnify  or  conceal  defects,  neither  has  he 
been  willing  to  give  a  flattering  exhibition  of  beauties  which  the  original 
really  possessed. 


IV  PREFACE. 

Some  allowance  must  be  made  to  the  biographer,  on  account  of  the 
scanty  materials  from  which  a  portion  of  this  work  has  been  executed. 
From  various  sources  he  has  sought  information;  and,  while  he  acknow- 
ledges with  gratitude  the  valuable  assistance  furnished  by  several 
brethren,  he  regrets  that,  in  many  inquiries,  he  has  been  entirely  disap- 
pointed. On  this  account,  he  has  been  reluctantly  compelled  to  leave 
out  of  these  sketches,  the  names  of  several  whose  memory  ought  to  be 
dear  to  all  our  churches.  Some  of  Virginia's  most  able  and  useful 
Baptist  ministers  might  be  mentioned,  whose  character  it  would  have 
been  a  grateful  task  to  hold  up  for  the  imitation  of  others. 

In  giving  the  biographies  of  nearly  one  hundred  ministers  of  the 
gospel,  an  opportunity  has  been  furnished  of  making  practical  observa- 
tions, both  on  the  beauties  and  defects  of  which  Christian  character  is 
susceptible.  This  duty  the  author  has  not  been  willing  to  decline.  He 
commits  the  work,  as  it  is,  to  his  brethren,  and,  if  the  God  of  all  grace 
shall  make  it  a  blessing  to  his  fellow  men,  the  warmest  wish  of  his  heart 
will  be  gratified. 


PREFACE   TO   THE   SECOND   EDITION. 


In  presenting  the  second  edition  of  this  work  to  the  public,  the  author 
is  happy  to  say,  that  he  has  been  able  to  furnish  nearly  forty  additional 
memoirs  of  Virginia  Baptist  Ministers.  There  are  still  other  brethren, 
who  have  ceased  from  their  labors,  concerning  whom  nothing  has  been 
said  in  this  volume,  because  the  needed  information  could  not  be  ob- 
tained. As  the  memoir  of  Lott  Cary  has  been  published  in  a  separate 
edition,  it  is  omitted  in  this;  the  same  may  be  said  of  the  sketch  of 
Abner  W.  Clopton. 


CONTENTS 


A. 

Page 

Ephraim  Abel, 244 

John  Alderson,  Sen 21 

John  Alderson,  Jr 150 

James  0.  Alderson, 490 

Joseph  Anthony, 44 

John  Asplund, 242 

B. 

David  Barrow,              155 

William  Baskett, 89 

Elijah  Baker, 108 

James  Bell, 159 

William  Bell, 400 

John  Ashcum  Billingsley, 415 

John  Bowers, 232 

Benjamin  Burgher, 195 

c. 

Rane  Chastain, 200 

Nathaniel  Chambles, .331 

Jeremiah  Chandler, 360 

Ruf'us  Chandler 443 

EleazerClay, 202 

William  Clopton, 239 

Richard  Claybrook,     .                          420 

John  Courtney, 92 

John  Corbley, 10.5 

Lewis  Conner, 131 

Thomas  Conduit 491 

William  Creath, 327 

Elijah  Craig 62 

Lewis  Craig, 84 

D. 

Richard  Dabbs 380 

Jeremiah  Dale, 406 


VI  CONTENTS. 

Jacob  Darden, 393 

Noah  Davis, 448 

John  A.  Davidson, 479 

Martin  Dawson, 238 

Crispin  Dickinson, 489 

Ambrose  Dudley, 214 

E. 

James  Ellison, 355 

George  Eve, 228 

F. 

Reuben  Ford,      .                         53 

Daniel  Fristoe, 38 

William  Fristoe, 66 

G. 

John  Garrard, 22 

James  Garnett, 161 

John  Goode, 241 

Joseph  Goode 446 

James  Greenwood, 125 

Jacob  Gregg, 390 

H. 

Samuel  Harris, 28 

Jeremiah  Hatcher, 338 

James  Healy 396 

John  Healy, 414 

William  Hickman, 221 

Samuel  Hilton, 349 

I. 

James  Ireland, 114 

John  Jenkins 349 

James  G.Jeffries, 481 

Edmund  Johns,        .                          354 

K. 

Edward  Kelly, 322 

Henry  Keeling,  Sen. 246 

John  King, 225 

John  Koontz, 96 

L. 

Dutton  Lane, 27 

Robert  Latham 322 

George  Layneld, 166 


CONTENTS.  Vlt 

William  Leigh, 320 

Iveson  Lewis, 229 

Lewis  Lunsford, 137 

M. 

Daniel  Marshall, 14 

William  Marshall, 103 

William  Mason, 191 

Richard  Major, 56 

John  Meglamare, 60 

Jeremiah  Moore 209 

Francis  Moore, ' .        .  3S6 

William  Murphy, 25 

Joseph  Murphy, 26 

John  Munroe,  M.D 101 

James  D.  M'Allister, 487 

N-    ■ 

Peter  Nelson, 441 

Peyton  Newman, '  379 

Theodorick  Noel, 228 

P. 

Joseph  Pedigo 347 

John  Picket 64 

Reuben  Picket, 171 

John  Poindexter, 339 

Elisha  Purrington, 343 

R. 

George  H.  Raynolds, 485 

James  Read, 24 

Joseph  Redding, 208 

William  Richards, 324 

Luther  Rice, 431 

David  Roper 401 

James  Rucks, 321 

S. 

Robert  B.  Semple, 269 

James  Shelbourne, 174 

John  Shackleford, 216 

Samuel  Shrewsbury 334 

Nathaniel  Shrewsbury, 335 

George  Smith, 205 

John  Sorrel, 191 


Vil  CONTENTS. 

John  Spotts 477 

Shubael  Stearns, 9 

Robert  Stockton, 106 

Samuel  Lamkin  Straughan, 364 

T. 

John  Taylor 217 

David  Thomas, 41 

Henry  Toler, 264 

Miks  Turpin, 361 

w. 

John  Waller, 77 

Absalom  Waller, 248 

Benjamin  Watkins, 233 

John  Weatherford, 46 

William  Webber, 146 

John  Williams, 127 

Samuel  Woodfin, 346 

William  A.  Wood, 428 

John  Wright,      . 239 

Y. 

John  Young, 168 


LIVES   OF 
VIRGINIA    BAPTIST    MINISTERS. 


S  HU  BAEL    STEARNS, 


In  preserving  the  memory  of  those  who  have  distinguished 
themselves  among  men,  we  are  not.  to  be  confined  to  the  learn- 
ed and  the  brave.  These  may  deserve  a  place  in  the  grate- 
ful recollections  of  posterity,  for  discoveries  in  science,  or  a 
achievements  in  war.  But  merit,  exhibited  in  patient  and  la- 
borious exertions  for  the  spiritual  improvement  of  man,  de- 
serves a  much  higher  regard.  When  the  records  of  eternity 
shall  be  unrolled,  he  will  be  esteemed  truly  great,  who  has 
been  wise  to  win  souls  to  Christ,  and  who,  counting  not  his 
life  dear  unto  himself,  has  labored  faithfully,  "to  testify  the 
gospel  of  the  grace  of  God." 

Such  was  Shubael  Stearns.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneers  who 
led  the  way  in  promulging  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  in  Vir- 
ginia. He  was  born  in  the  city  of  Boston,  in  the  year  1706. 
Concerning  his  early  history,  little  or  nothing  is  known.  In 
giving  a  sketch  of  his  life,  the  biographer  must  pass  over  many 
incidents  which,    if  known,  might   be  interesting. 

About  the  year  1740,  a  most  extensive  revival  of  religion 
was  experienced  in  the  New  England  states,  through  the  in- 
strumentality of  the  celebrated  George  Whitefield  and  others. 
In  consequence  of  some  peculiarities  in  the  views  and  manner 
of  the  laborers  in  that  work,  they,  with  their  followers,  were 
called  New  Lights,  and  afterwards,  Separates.  With  this 
body  of  Christians,  Mr.  Stearns  connected  himself  in  the  year 
1745.     Immediately  after,  his  mind  became  impressed   with 


10  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

the  obligation  to  preach  the  gospel,  and,  accordingly,  he  en- 
tered upon  this  responsible  work.  He  continued  with  the 
Pedobaptists  until  1751,  when,  examining  the  word  of  God,  he 
became  convinced,  that  in  failing  to  submit  to  the  ordinance 
of  immersion,  he  had  neglected  a  most  important  command  of 
the  Redeemer.  The  futility  of  infant  baptism  was  also  dis- 
covered, and  he  determined  to  take  up  his  cross,  be  baptized, 
and  unite  himself  with  the  Baptists.  He  was  immersed  by 
Elder  Wait  Palmer,  at  Tolland,  state  of  Connecticut,  and  on 
the  20th  of  May  in  the  same  year,  was  ordained  to  the  work  of 
the  ministry. 

Mr.  Stearns  continued  to  labor  in  the  New  England  states 
two  or  three  years,  but  he  soon  became  restless  in  contemplat- 
ing other  portions  of  our  country,  which  were  more  destitute 
of  the  preached  word.  He  panted  .to  carry  the  news  of  re- 
deeming mercy,  where  they  had  been  as  yet  but  partially  pro- 
claimed. He  labored  under  a  most  solemn  impression  that  it 
was  his  duty  to  travel  more  extensively.  Accordingly,  he  left 
his  native  state,  and  pursued  his  course  in  a  south-westerly 
direction,  accompanied  by  some  Christian  brethren,  and  hav- 
ing concluded  to  remain  awhile  in  Virginia,  he  preached 
in  the  counties  of  Berkely  and  Hampshire  for  some  length  of 
time.  There  seems  to  have  been  a  number  of  the  friends  of  the 
Redeemer  in  this  region,  who  gave  him  a  hearty  welcome,  and 
encouraged  him  in  his  labors.  Before  his  arrival,  a  Baptist 
Church  had  been  constituted  on  Opeckon  creek,  Berkely 
county,  and  among  them,  Mr.  Stearns  was  eminently  useful. 

The  next  field  occupied  by  tin's  man  of  God,  was  in  Guilford 
county,  North  Carolina.  Here  he  permanently  settled.  The 
great  spiritual  destitution  which  prevailed,  seems  to  have  indu- 
ced his  removal  to  that  region.  Such  was  the  anxiety  to  hear 
the  Gospel  preached,  that  the  people  would  frequently  travel  a 
day's  journey  to  attend  a  religious  meeting.  This  afforded  an 
extensive  range  for  the  benevolent  spirit  of  Stearns.  He  com- 
menced his  labors  with  building  a  house  of  worship,  and  con- 
stituting a  church  of  16  persons.     The  following  notice  from 


SFIUBAEL    STEARNS.  11 

Semple's  History,  will  furnish  an  encouraging  statement  of  the 
success  of  his  ministry  among  this  people. 

"The  inhabitants  about  this  little  colony  of  Baptists,  although 
brought  up  in  the  Christian  religion,  were  grossly  ignorant  of 
its  essential  principles.  Having  the  form  of  godliness,  they 
knew  nothing  of  its  power.  Stearns  and  his  party,  of  course, 
brought  strange  things  to  their  ears.  To  be  born  again  ap- 
peared to  them  as  absurd  as  it  did  to  the  Jewish  doctor,  when 
he  asked,  if  he  must  enter  the  second  time  into  his  mother's 
womb,  and  be  born.  Having  always  supposed,  that  religion 
consisted  in  nothing  more  than  the  practice  of  its  outward  du- 
ties, they  could  not  comprehend  how  it  should  be  necessary  to 
feel  conviction  and  conversion;  and  to  be  able  to  ascertain  the 
time  and  place  of  one's  conversion,  was,  in  their  estimation, 
wonderful  indeed.  These  points  were  all  strenuously  contend- 
ed for  by  the  new  preachers.  But  their  manner  of  preaching 
was,  if  possible,  much  more  novel  than  their  doctrines.  The 
Separates,  in  New  England,  had  acquired  a  very  warm  and 
pathetic  address,  accompanied  by  strong  gestures,  and  a  sin- 
gular tone  of  voice.  Being  often  deeply  affected  themselves 
when  preaching,,  correspondent  affections  were  felt  by  their 
pious  hearers,  which  were  frequently  expressed  by  tears, 
trembling,  screams,  and  acclamations  of  grief  and  joy.  All 
these,  they  brought  with  them  iuto  their  new  habitation,  at 
which  the  people  were  greatly  astonished,  having  never  seen 
things  on  this  wise  before.  Many  mocked,  but  the  power  of 
God  attending  them,  many  also  trembled.  In  process  of  time, 
some  of  the  inhabitants  became  converts,  and  bowed  in  obedi- 
ence to  the  Redeemer's  sceptre.  These  uniting  their  labors 
with  the  others,  a  powerful  and  extensive  work  commenced,  and 
Sandy  creek  church,   soon  swelled  from   16  to  G06   members." 

In  the  midst  of  this  church,  Mr.  Stearns  closed  his  valuable 
life.  He  had  travelled  extensively  in  North  Carolina  and  Vir- 
ginia, and  been  instrumental  in  doing  much  good,  when  his 
Master  called  him  to  his  reward  in  heaven.  When  first  con- 
fined to  his  bed,  his  mind  was  depressed,  but  the  darkness  warn 


12  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

of  short  duration.  He  was  made  to  suffer  much,  and  protract- 
edly, in  body,  but  his  soul  was  joyful  in  the  God  of  his  salva- 
tion. Having  preached  to  others  the  Saviour  of  sinners,  he 
found  him  in  the  trying  hour  precious  to  his  soul.  On  the  20th 
of  Nov.  1771,  his  happy  spirit  was  dismissed  to  take  its  place 
among  the  holy  and  good  in  a  better  world.  His  body  was 
interred  near  the  meeting  house,  in  which  he  had  so  often 
spoken  the  word  of  God. 

At  this  distant  period,  it  is  not  possible  to  present  a  distinct 
portraiture  of  his  character  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel.  Mr. 
Morgan  Edwards*  has,  in  his  own  peculiar  style,  furnished  a  few 
interesting  facts,  which  are  annexed,  and  with  which  we  close 
the  biography  of  one  of  the  most  useful  ministers  of  the  18th 
century. 

"Mr.  Stearns  was  a  man  of  small  stature,  but  of  good  natu- 
ral parts,  and  sound  judgment.  Of  learning,  he  had  hut  a  lit- 
tle share,  yet  was  pretty  well  acquainted  with  books.  His 
voice  was  musical,  and  strong,  which  he  managed  in  such  a 
manner,  as  one  while  to  make  soft  impressions  on  the  heart,  and 
fetch  tears  from  the  eyes  in  a  mechanical  way;  and  anon,  to 
shake  the  very  nerves;  and  throw  the  animal  system  into  tu- 
mults and  perturbations.  All  the  Separate  Baptists  copied  af- 
ter him  in  tones  of  voice,  and  actions  of  body;  and  some  few 
exceeded  him.  His  character  was  indisputably  good,  both  as 
a  man,  a  Christian,  and  a  preacher.  In  his  eyes  was  some- 
thing very  penetrating,  there  seemed  to  be  a  meaning  in  every 
glance.  Many  stories  have  been  told  respecting  the  enchant- 
ments of  his  eyes  and  voice,  but  the  two  following  examples  we 
give  with  the  more  confidence,  because  the  subjects  of  them, 
viz.  Tidence  Lane  and  Elnathan  Davis,  were  men  of  sense 
and  reputation;  and  afterwards  became  distinguished  ministers 
of  the  Baptist  Society. 

*Morgan  Edwards  was  an  eminent  Welsh  minister,  and  pastor  of  the 
First  Baptist  Church  in  Philadelphia  for  10  years  subsequent  to  1761. 
From  his  unpublished  writings,  Mr.  Benedict  has  drawn  largely  in  his 
History  of  the  Baptists. 


SIIUHAEL    STEARNS.  13 

"  'When  the  fame  of  Mr.  Stearns's  preaching  (said  Mr.  Lane) 
had  reached  the  Yadkin,  where  I  lived,  I  felt  a  curiosity  to  go 
and  hear  him.  Upon  my  arrival,  I  saw  a  venerable  old  man 
sitting  under  a  peach  tree  with  a  book  in  his  hand,  and  the  peo- 
ple gathering  about  him.  He  fixed  his  eyes  upon  me  imme- 
diately, which  made  me  feel  in  such  a  manner  as  I  never  had 
elt  before.  I  turned  to  quit  the  place,  but  could  not  proceed 
far.  I  walked  about,  sometimes  catching  his  eyes  as  I  walked. 
My  uneasiness  increased,  and  became  intolerable.  I  went  up 
to  him,  thinking  that  a  salutation  and  shaking  hands  would  re- 
lieve me;  but  it  happened  otherwise,  f  began  to  think  that  he 
had  an  evil  eye,  and  ought  to  be  shunned;  but  shunning  him  1 
could  no  more  effect,  than  a  bird  can  shun  the  rattle-snake, 
when  it  fixes  its  eyes  upon  it.  When  he  began  to  preach,  my 
perturbations  increased,  so  that  nature  could  no  longer  support 
them,  and  ]  sunk  to  the  ground.' 

"Mr.  Lane  afterwards  became  a  very  useful  Baptist  minister, 
and  was  one  of  the  first  of  the  denomination,  who  removed  to 
Tennessee,  where  he  administered,  until  his  death,  with  repu- 
tation and  success. 

"Elnathan  Davis  had  heard  that  one  John  Steward  was  to 
be  baptized  such  a  day,  by  Mr.  Stearns.  Now  this  Steward 
being  a  very  large  man,  and  Slearns  of  small  stature,  he  con- 
cluded there  would  be  some  diversion,  if  not  drowning;  there- 
fore, he  gathered  about  eight  or  ten  of  his  companions  in  wick- 
edness, and  went  to  the  spot.  Mr.  Stearns  came,  and  began  to 
preach.  Elnathan  went  to  hear  him,  while  his  companions 
stood  at  a  distance.  He  was  no  sooner  among  the  crowd,  than 
he  perceived  some  of  the  people  tremble,  as  if  in  a  fit  of  the 
ague;  he  felt  and  examined  them,  in  order  to  find  if  it  were  not 
a  dissimulation;  meanwhile  one  man  leaned  on  his  shoulder, 
weeping  bitterly;  Elnathan,  perceiving  he  had  wet  his  new 
white  coat,  pushed  him  off  and  ran  to  his  companions,  who 
were  sitting  on  a  log  at  a  distance.  When  he  came,  one  said, 
'Well  Elnathan,  what  do  you  think  now  of  these  people?'  af- 
fixing to  them  a  profane  and  reproachful  epithet.     He  replied, 


14  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

'There  is  a  trembling  and  crying  spirit  among  them,  but  whether 
it  be  the  Spirit  of  God  or  the  devil,  I  dont  know;  if  it  be  the 
devil,  the  devil  go  with  them,  for  I  will  never  more  venture 
myself  among  them.'  He  stood  awhile  in  that  resolution;  but 
the  enchantment  of  Stearns's  voice  drew  him  to  the  crowd 
once  more.  He  had  not  been  long  there  before  the  trembling 
seized  him  also;  he  attempted  to  withdraw,  but  his  strength 
failing,  and  his  understanding  being  confounded,  he,  with  many 
others,  sunk  to  the  ground.  When  he  came  to  himself,  he 
found  nothing  in  him  but  dread  and  anxiety,  bordering  on  hor- 
ror. He  continued  in  this  situation  some  days,  and  then  found 
relief  by  faith  in  Christ.  Immediately  he  began  to  preach 
conversion  work,  raw  as  he  was,  and  scanty  as  his  knowledge 
must  have  been.  Mr.  Davis  was  born  in  Baltimore  county, 
Maryland,  1735;  was  bred  a  Seventh-day  Baptist,  went  to  Slow 
river,  North  Carolina,  in  1757;  was  baptized  by  Shubael 
Stearns,  at  Sandy  creek,  and  ordained  by  Samuel  Harris,  in 
1764;  continued  in  North  Carolina  until  1798;  when  he  remov- 
ed to  South  Carolina,  and  settled  in  the  bounds  of  the  Saluda 
Association." 


DANIEL    MARSHALL 


The  conspicuous  part  which  Daniel  Marshall  took  in  the 
early  history  of  Virginia  Baptists,  will  make  a  brief  notice  of 
his  life  acceptable  to  our  churches.  He  was  instrumental  in  the 
conversion  of  many  sinners,  and  the  organization  of  several 
churches  in  the  southern  part  of  the  state.  The  notice  which 
follows,  was  prepared  by  his  son,  Elder  Abraham  Marshall,  and 
originally  published  in  the  Georgia  Analytical  Repository  of  the 
year  1802. 

uIn  giving  a  biographical  sketch  of  my  honored  father,  we 
must  look  back  to  the  distance  of  almost  a  century.     His  birth 


DANIEL    MARSHALL.  15 

was  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  170G,  in  Windsor,  a  town  in  Con- 
necticut- He  was  religiously  educated,  by  respectable  and 
pious  parents;  and  being  hopefully  converted  at  twenty  years 
of  age,  joined  the  then  standing  order  of  Presbyterians  in  his 
native  place.  The  natural  ardor  of  his  mind  soon  kindled  in- 
to the  fire  of  holy  zeal;  and  without  the  advantage  of  a  liberal 
education,  raised  him  so  high  in  the  esteem  of  his  brethren, 
that  they  called  him  to  the  office  of  a  deacon.  In  the  exem- 
plary discbarge  of  his  duty,  in  this  capacity,  he  continued  near 
twenty  years.  During  this  time,  in  easy  circumstances,  he 
married;  and  lost  a  wife,  by  whom  he  had  a  son,  named  after 
himself,  Daniel;  who  is  still  a  useful  member  of  society.  At 
the  age  of  thirty-eight  years,  our  worthy  parent  was  one  of 
the  thousands,  in  New  England,  who  heard  that  son  of  thunder, 
Rev.  George  Whitefield,  and  caught  his  seraphic  fire.  Firmly 
believing  in  the  near  approach  of  the  'latter-day  glory,'  when 
the  Jews,  with  the  fulness  of  the  Gentiles,  shall  hail  their  Re- 
deemer, and  bow  to  his  gentle  sceptre;  a  number  of  worthy 
characters  ran  to  and  fro,  through  the  eastern  states,  warmly 
exhorting  to  the  prompt  adoption  of  every  measure  tending  to 
hasten  that  blissful  period.  Others  sold,  gave  away,  or  left 
their  possessions,  as  the  powerful  impulse  of  the  moment  de- 
termined; and,  without  scrip,  or  purse,  rushed  up  to  the  head 
of  the  Susquehanna,  to  convert  the  heathens;  and  settled  in  a 
town  called  Onnaquaggy,  among  the  Mohawk  Indians.  One, 
and  not  the  least  sanguine,  of  these  pious  missionaries,  was  my 
venerable  father.  Great  must  have  been  his  faith!  great  his 
zeal!  when,  without  the  least  prospect  of  a  temporal  reward, 
with  a  much  beloved  wife  and  three  children,  he  exchanged 
his  commodious  buildings  for  a  miserable  hut;  his  fruitful 
fields  and  loaded  orchards,  for  barren  deserts;  the  luxuries  of 
a  well  furnished  table,  for  coarse  and  scanty  fare;  and  numer- 
ous civilized  friends,  for  rude  savages!  He  had  the  happiness, 
however,  to  teach  and  exhort  fur  eighteen  months,  in  this 
place,  with  considerable  success.  A  number  of  the  Indians 
were,  in  some  degree,  impressed  with  eternal  concerns;  and 


16  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

several  became  cordially  obedient  to  the  gospel.  But  just 
as  the  seeds  of  heavenly  truth,  sown  with  tears  in  this  unprom- 
ising soil,  began  to  appear  in  their  first  fruits,  the  breaking  out 
of  war  among  the  savage  tribes  occasioned  his  reluctant  re- 
moval to  Connogogig,  in  Pennsylvania.  From  thence,  after 
finding  it  much  more  difficult  to  benefit  scribes  and  pharisees, 
than  publicans  and  sinners,  he  removed  to  a  place  near  Win- 
chester, in  Virginia. 

"Here  he  became  acquainted  with  a  Baptist  church,  belong- 
ing to  the  Philadelphia  Association;  and  as  the  result  of  a  close, 
impartial  examination  of  their  faith  and  order,  he  and  my  dear 
mother  were  baptized  by  immersion,  in  the  forty-eighth  year 
of  his  life.  He  was  now  called,  as  a  licensed  preacher,  to  the 
unrestrained  exercise  of  his  gifts;  and  though  they  were  by 
no  means  above  mediocrity,  he  was  instrumental  in  awakening 
attention,  in  many  of  his  hearers,  to  the  interest  of  their  souls. 

"Under  the  influence  of  an  anxious  desire  to  be  extensively 
useful,  he  proceeded  from  Virginia,  to  Hugwarry,  in  North 
Carolina;  where  his  faithful  and  incessant  labors  proved  the 
happy  means  of  arousing  and  converting  numbers.  Being  evi- 
dently, and  eminently  useful,  as  an  itinerant  preacher,  he  con- 
tinued his  peregrination  to  Abbot's  creek,  in  the  same  state: 
where  he  was  the  instrument  of  planting  a  church;  of  which 
he  was  ordained  pastor,  in  the  fifty-second  year  of  his  age,  by 
his  brothers-in-law,  Rev.  Messrs.  Henry  Ledbetter,  and  Shubael 
Stearns.  Soon  after  receiving  this  honor,  my  reverend  father, 
travelling  at  different  times  into  Virginia,  baptized  colonel 
Samuel  Harriss,  with  whom  he  immediately  afterwards  made 
several  tours,  and  preached,  and  planted  the  gospel  in  various 
places,  as  far  as  James  river.  It  was  but  a  few  years  after 
his  ordination,  before,  induced  by  appearances  of  increasing 
usefulness,  he  took  an  affectionate  leave  of  his  beloved  charge, 
and  settled  on  Beaver  creek,  in  South  Carolina. 

"In  this  place,  likewise,  a  church  was  raised  under  his  minis- 
try; and  until  brought  to  a  good  degree  of  maturity  in  divine 
things,  was  an  object  of  his  tender  and   unremitted  care  and 


DANIEL    MARSHALL.  17 

solicitude.  At  the  direction  of  divine  Providence,  as  he  con- 
ceived, and  as  subsequent  events  have  proved,  his  next  remov- 
al was  to  Horse  creek,  about  fifteen  miles  north  of  Augusta. 

"The  fruits  of  his  labors  in  this  place  remain  in  a  respecta- 
ble church;  some  of  whose  sons,  raised  up  under  his  care, 
have  successfully  diffused  the  light  of  divine  truth  through 
various  benighted  regions.  From  Horse  creek  my  aged 
father  made  his  first  visits  to  this  state.  On  the  second  or 
third  of  these,  while  in  prayer,  he  was  seized,  in  the  presence 
of  his  audience,  for  preaching  in  the  parish  of  St.  Paul;  and 
made  to  give  security  for  his  appearance  in  Augusta,  on  the 
following  Monday,  to  answer  this  charge.  Accordingly,  he 
stood  a  trial,  and  after  his  meekness  and  patience  were  suffi- 
ciently exercised,  he  was  ordered  to  come,  as  a  preacher,  no 
more  into  Georgia. 

"In  the  words  of  an  apostle,  similarly  circumstanced,  he  re- 
plied, 'Whether  it  be  right  to  obey  God,  or  man,  judge  ye.' 
Consistently  with  this  just,  and  spirited  replication,  he  pursued 
his  luminous  course:  and  on  the  1st  of  January,  1771,  came 
with  his  family,  and  took  up  his  final  earthly  residence  at  the 
Kioke.  The  following  spring,  the  church  here  was  formed; 
and  it  is  famous  for  having  furnished  materials  for  several 
other  churches.  For  this  purpose,  many  common  members 
have  been  dismissed,  and  several  ministers  ordained.  Among 
these  are  Rev.  Messrs.  Saunders  Walker,  Samuel  Newton, 
Loveless  Savage,  Alexander  Scott,  and  the  writer  of  this  ar- 
ticle. Through  God's  blessing  on  the  ministry  of  her  indefati- 
gable founder,  and  pastor,  this  church  continued  to  lengthen 
her  cords,  and  strengthen  her  stakes;  breaking  forth  on  the 
right  hand  and  on  the  left;  until  our  beloved  country  was  un- 
happily involved  in  the  horrors  of  war.  No  scenes,  however, 
from  the  commencement  to  the  termination  of  hostilities,  were 
so  gloomy  and  alarming  as  to  deter  my  inestimable  father 
from  discharging  the  duties  of  his  station.  Neither  reproaches, 
nor  threatenings,  could  excite  in  him  the  least  appearance  of 
timidity,  or  any  thing  inconsistent  with  Christian  and  ministe- 


18 


[OGRAPHY     OF 


rial  heroism.  As  a  friend  to  the  American  cause,  he  was 
once  made  a  prisoner,  and  put  under  a  strong  guard.  But  ob- 
taining leave  of  the  officers,  he  commenced  and  supported  so 
heavy  a  charge  of  exhortation  and  prayer,  that,  like  Daniel  of 
old,  while  his  enemies  stood  amazed  and  confounded,  he  was 
safely  and  honorably  delivered  from  this  den  of  lions.  Even 
the  infirmities  of  old  age,  and  the  evident  approach  of  the 
king  of  terrors,  were  not  sufficient  to  shake  his  faith  or  hope; 
nor,  in  the  least  perceivable  degree,  to  abate  his  zeal. 

"A  k\v  months  previous  to  his  decease,  rising  in  his  pulpit, 
which  he  had  frequently  besprinkled  with  his  tears,  and  from 
which  he  had  as  often  descended  to  weep  over  a  careless  audi- 
tory, he  said,  'I  address  you,  my  dear  hearers,  with  a  diffidence 
that  arises  from  a  failure  of  memory,  and  a  general  weakness 
of  body  and  mind  common  to  my  years.  But  I  recollect,  'he 
that  holds  out  to  the  end  shall  be  saved;'  and  I  am  resolved  to 
finish  my  course  in  the  cause  of  God.' 

"Accordingly  he  attended  public  worship  regularly,  even 
through  his  lingering  mortal  illness,  until  the  last  Sabbath, 
but  one,  before  his  dissolution.  In  his  family,  he  invariably 
performed  his  usual  round  of  holy  duties,  until  the  morning 
immediately  preceding  his  happy  change.  Fully  apprised  of 
this,  as  at  hand,  and  perfectly  in  his  senses,  he  expressed,  dis- 
tinctly and  emphatically,  his  steady  and  increasing  confidence 
of  future  bliss. 

"The  following,  taken  by  me,  in  the  presence  of  a  kw 
deeply  affected  friends  and  relatives,  as  he  delivered  them,  were 
his  last  words: 

"  'Dear  brethren  and  sisters,  I  am  just  gone.  This  night  1 
shall,  probably,  expire.  But  I  have  nothing  to  fear.  I  have 
fought  a  good  fight;  I  have  finished  my  course;  1  have  kept 
the  faith.  And  henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of 
righteousness.  God  has  shown  me,  that  he  is  my  God;  that  I 
am  his  son;  and,  that  an  eternal  weight  of  glory  is  mine!' 

"The  venerable  partner  of  his  cares,  and,  I   may  add,  faith- 


DANIKL    MARSHALL.  19 

ful  assistant  in  all  his  labors,  sitting  bedewed  with  tears,  by 
his  side;  he  proceeded: 

"  'Go  on,  my  dear  wife,  to  serve  the  Lord.  Hold  out  to  the 
end.     Eternal  glory  is  before  us!' 

"After  a  silence  of  some  minutes,  he  called  me,  and  said, 
'My  breath  is  almost  gone.  I  have  been  praying  that  1  may 
go  home  to-night.  ]  had  great  happiness  in  our  worship  this 
morning,  particularly  in  singing,  which  will  make  a  part  of 
my  exercises  in  a  blessed  eternity.' 

"Now,  gently  closing  his  eyes,  he  cheerfully  gave  up  his 
soul  to  God,  with  whom,  I  doubt  not,  he  walks,  'high  in  salva- 
tion, and  the  climes  of  bliss.' 

"This  solemn  event  took  place  at  the  dawn  of  the  second 
day  of  November,  1784,  in  the  seventy-eighth  year  of  his  age. 

"A  suitable  discourse  to  his  memory,  was  delivered  from 
the  above  mentioned  passage  of  holy  writ,  by  the  late  Rev. 
Charles  Buffey. 

"Whatever  infirmities  might  appear  in  my  certainly  emi- 
nently pious,  and  extensively  useful  father,  it  would  not  become 
me  to  bring  them  into  view,  except  it  were  to  show,  as  might 
easily  be  done,  that  'e'en  his  failings  leaned  to  virtue's  side.' 
And  1  handle  too  feeble  a  pen  to  delineate  the  various  excel- 
lent qualities  and  graces,  which  adorned  him,  in  every  relation 
he  sustained  through  life.     1  will  only  say, 

Tho'  no  proud  pile,  learn 'd  pen,  nor  letter'd  stone 
His  virtues  rare,  to  late  posterity  reveals; 

He'll  ever  shine,  and  waxingly  has  shone, 
Through  rolling  years,  in  ministerial  seals." 

It  may  be  proper  to  add,  that  Mr.  Marshall  was  twice  mar- 
ried. Concerning  his  first  wife,  nothing  is  known.  We  copy 
a  few  lines  from  editorial  remarks  of  the  Repository.  In 
which  beside  a  reference  to  his  family,  there  is  found  a  eulogy, 
which  is  believed  to  be  merited. 

"In  1748,  Mr.  Marshall  married  his  second  and  last  wife, 
Miss    Martha   Stearns,  sister   to   Rev.  Shubael  Stearns.     Mr. 


20  BIOGRAPHY     OF 

Marshall  had  the  rare  felicity  of  finding  in  this  lady,  a  Pria- 
cilla,  a  helper  in  the  gospel.  In  fact,  it  should  not  be  concealed, 
that  his  extraordinary  success  in  the  ministry,  is  ascribable,  in 
no  small  degree,  to  Mrs.  Marshall's  unwearied,  and  zealous  co- 
operation. Without  the  shadow  of  a  usurped  authority  over 
the  other  sex,  Mrs.  Marshall,  being  a  lady  of  good  sense,  singu- 
lar piety,  and  surprising  elocution,  has,  in  countless  instances, 
melted  a  whole  concourse  into  tears,  by  her  prayers  and 
exhortations! 

"Another  cause  to  which  Mr.  Marshall's  distinguished  utility 
is  attributable,  in  a  great  measure,  was  his  bold  and  independ- 
ent method  of  procedure.  With  a  soul  expanded  by  contem- 
plations on  august  objects,  a  boundless  ambition  directed  to  a 
correspondent  prize,  and  the  world  completely  under  his  feet, 
he  was  capable  of  the  most  difficult  and  arduous  enterprizes; 
and  could  be  dismayed  by  no  dangers.  Superior  to  local  at- 
tachments, he  went  from  place  to  place,  instructing,  exhort- 
ing, and  praying  for  individuals,  families,  and  congregations, 
whether  at  a  muster,  a  race,  a  public  market,  the  open  field,  an 
army,  or  a  house  of  worship;  wherever  he  was  able  to  com- 
mand attention. 

"Such  conduct  was,  indeed,  and  may  still,  by  many,  be  con- 
sidered irregular;  and  little  less  than  as  savoring  of  insanity. 
But  if  he  acted  in  some  of  these  instances  as  if  he  were  be- 
side himself,  it  was  for  the  sake  of  precious  souls:  and  the 
fruits  of  his  astonishing  exertions  have  abundantly  shown  that 
he  was  constrained  by  the  love  of  Christ. 

"It  may  possibly  be  thought  that  Mr.  Marshall  was  the  sub- 
ject of  delusive  hope;  and  culpably  enthusiastic,  when  he  left 
Mew  England,  with  a  family,  to  roam  under  the  rising  beams 
of  the  latter-day  glory,  as  he  supposed,  for  the  conversion  of 
souls.  But  let  this  matter  be  fairly  considered,  and  it  will  ap- 
pear, that  his  most  sanguine  expectations  must  have,  so  far, 
been  fully  realized.  Since  the  period  at  which  Mr.  Marshall 
commenced  his  career,  those  burning  and  shining  lights,  Rev- 
Messrs.  Whitefield  and   Wesley,  with  their  zealous  associates 


JOHN    ALDERSON,    SEN.  21 

and  numerous  followers,  have  aroused  a  slumbering  world,  and 
liberally  shed  the  lustre  of  truth  in  its  darkest  recesses;  thou- 
sands of  able  and  evangelical  writers  and  preachers  have  been 
raised  up,  and  as  many  gospel  churches  formed;  a  revolution 
in  America  has  bestowed  religious  liberty  on  one  quarter  of 
the  globe;  the  system  of  the  Man  of  sin  has  been  almost  de- 
molished; liberty  of  conscience  has  made  rapid  advances  in 
Europe;  the  shouts  of  all  truly  religious  denominations,  have 
been  mingled  at  the  funeral  of  bigotry;  the  scriptures  have 
been  translated  into  several  barbarous  languages;  missionaries 
have  gone  out,  literally,  into  all  the  world;  and  sinners,  of  all 
descriptions,  have  fallen,  by  thousands,  beneath  the  sword  of 
the  Spirit,  which  is  the  word  of  God. 

"Now,  can  it  be  reasonably  presumed,  that  when  Mr.  Mar- 
shall, in  the  fervor  of  his  piety,  exchanged  New  England  for 
the  Mohawk  nation,  he  expected,  that  by  this  time,  the  king- 
dom of  Christ  would  be  more  triumphant  than  the  present 
advanced  state  of  religion  throughout  the  world  fully  justifies? 

"As  to  any  special  confidence  that  Mr.  Marshall  might 
have  had  in  God,  as  engaged  to  preserve  and  prosper  a  family 
devoted  to  his  service,  the  reader  will  probably  be  of  opinion 
that  it  could  not  have  been  stronger  than  it  ought  to  have 
been,  in  view  of  the  promises  on  which  it  was  based." 


JOHN   ALDERSON,   SEN. 

No  man  of  his  day  was  more  distinguished  among  the  Bap- 
tists, than  he  whose  name  precedes  this  sketch.  He  was  one 
of  the  earliest  evangelical  preachers  of  western  Virginia.  To 
him  are  many  of  the  churches  indebted  under  God  for  their 
existence  and  growth.  He  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England, 
and  came  to  this  country  when  quite  young.  The  circum- 
stances under  which  he  left  his  native  land  were  peculiar. 
His  father,  a  minister  of  useful  talents,  and  respectable  char- 


22  BIOGKAPHY    OP 

acter,  opposed,  with  considerable  violence,  a  matrimonial  con- 
nexion he  was  about  to  form.  To  divert  the  attention  of  his 
son  from  this  alliance,  he  prevailed  on  him  to  travel,  and  fur- 
nished him  with  a  horse  and  the  requisite  funds.  In  a  short 
time  these  means  were  exhausted,  and  the  prodigal  was  at 
length  bound  on  board  a  vessel,  which  brought  him,  without 
the  consent  or  knowledge  of  his  parents,  to  America.  On  ar- 
riving in  this  country,  he  was  hired  by  the  captain  for  his  pas- 
sage money  to  a  respectable  farmer  of  New  Jersey  by  the 
name  of  Curtis.  His  conduct  during  his  term  of  labor  was 
such  as  to  gain  the  esteem  of  Mr.  Curtis.  He  afterwards 
married  his  daughter,  and  was  highly  respected  by  all  with 
whom  he  became  acquainted. 

A  short  period  subsequent  to  his  marriage,  the  subduing 
grace  of  God  arrested  him.  He  became  a  joyful  believer  in 
Christ  Jesus,  and  was  baptized  in  his  name.  With  his  char- 
acteristic energy,  he  at  once  began  to  recommend  the  Saviour 
to  others.  Having  removed  to  Germantown,  Penn.,  he  con- 
tinued in  that  vicinity  to  preach  the  gospel  until  the  year  1755, 
when  he  removed  to  the  county  of  Rockingham,  Virginia. 
Upon  his  settlement  in  this  state,  he  applied  himself  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  and  within  twelve  months  a  Baptist 
church  was  constituted,  called  Smith's  and  Lynville  creek 
church,  in  the  county  of  Rockingham.  He  became  their  pas- 
tor. This  connexion  was  retained  about  sixteen  years,  when 
he  removed  to  the  county  of  Bottetourt. 

In  the  year  1781,  about  nine  years  after  his  removal,  he  was 
called  to  the  rest  of  heaven. 


JOHN    GARRARD 


The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  among  the  earliest  and 
most  successful  Baptist  ministers  of  Virginia.  Nothing  is 
known  of  his  parentage,  the  circumstance  of  his  conversion, 


JOHN    GARRARD.  23 

or  his  entrance  into  the  ministry.  He  migrated  from  the  state 
of  Pennsylvania,  to  the  county  of  Berkely,  Va.  in  the  year 
1754,  and  there  labored  for  some  time  as  a  preacher  of  the 
gospel.  That  part  of  the  country  was  then  sparsely  inhabited, 
and  subject  to  the  assaults  of  the  Indians.  Having  been  fre- 
quently annoyed  by  them,  most  of  the  church,  with  Mr.  Gar- 
rard, removed  below  the  Blue-ridge,  and  settled  for  a  while  in 
the  county  of  Loudoun.  During  his  stay  there,  he  was  instru- 
mental in  the  conversion  of  many  sinners.  From  house  to 
house  he  went,  warning  men  to  flee  the  wrath  to  come,  and 
preaching  Christ,  and  him  crucified. 

Thus,  what  seemed  at  the  time,  a  heavy  trial,  was  made  to 
eventuate  in  good.  Such  was  his  success  that  it  was  deemed 
expedient  to  constitute  another  church,  which  was  called  Ke- 
tockton.  When  the  Ketockton  Association  was  formed,  con- 
sisting only  of  four  churches,  he  was  one  of  the  delegates,  and 
assisted  in  the  deliberations  of  the  meeting.  This  was  after 
his  return  to  the  county  of  Berkely.  He  continued  to  serve 
the  Mill  creek  church  until  his  death.  For  some  time  he  was 
also  employed  in  supplying  Buck  Marsh  church  in  the  county 
of  Frederick.  In  addition  to  these  efforts  in  his  own  imme- 
diate vicinity,  he  delighted  to  spend  as  much  time  as  possible 
in  carrying  abroad  the  blessed  gospel.  Like  the  apostle  of  the 
gentiles,  he  cherished  a  holy  ambition  to  preach  Christ  where 
he  had  not  been  named.  In  the  journeys  of  that  most  devoted 
man,  David  Thomas,  he  was  frequently  accompanied  by  Elder 
Garrard,  and  proved  a  most   faithful  and  successful  coadjutor. 

His  talents  were  by  no  means  inconsiderable.  Such  was  the 
estimation  in  which  he  was  held  by  his  brethren,  that  for 
several  years  in  succession  he  was  chosen  moderator  of  the 
Association.  He  was  a  speaker  of  lively  address.  In  his 
whole  ministerial  course,  he  was  distinguished  by  a  glowing 
and  persevering  zeal.  He  continued  to  vindicate  his  Master's 
cause,  until,  at  an  advanced  age,  he  was  called  to  give  account 
of  his  stewardship. 


24  BIOGRAPHY    OF 


JAMES    READ 


Very  little  is  known  concerning  the  history  of  James  Read, 
before  his  conversion  to  God.  According  to  his  own  account, 
he  was  in  very  early  life  the  subject  of  much  alarm,  under  the 
consciousness  of  his  guilt,  as  a  transgressor  of  the  divine  law. 
He  seems,  however,  to  have  entertained  on  the  subject  of  relig- 
ion generally,  very  incorrect  ideas.  It  was  not  until  1756, 
he  being  then  about  thirty  years  old,  that  he  submitted  to  the 
sway  of  the  Prince  of  peace.  His  conversion  took  place  in 
North  Carolina,  under  the  ministry  of  Elder  Daniel  Marshall. 
Up  to  this  period  his  opportunities  for  mental  improvement 
were  quite  limited;  insomuch,  that  at  the  time  he  entered  the 
ministry,  he  could  neither  read  nor  write.  Under  the  tuition 
of  his  wife,  he  was  soon  able  to  peruse  the  pages  of  unerring 
truth. 

Although  he  was  in  many  respects  unqualified  to  instruct  in 
spiritual  things,  as  an  evangelist  he  was  successful  in  winning 
souls  to  Christ.  His  spirit  was  stirred  within  him,  when  he 
beheld  the  thousands  around  him  exposed  to  ruin;  and  he  lifted 
up  his  voice  in  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity,  declaring  the 
gospel  of  Christ.  He  travelled  extensively  both  in  North 
Carolina  and  Virginia.  Indeed  his  talent  seems  to  have  been 
peculiarly  suited  to  itinerant  labor.  In  company  with  Samuel 
Harriss  in  one  of  his  journeys,  seventy-five,  and  in  another 
more  than  two  hundred,  were  buried  with  Christ  in  baptism. 

It  is  painful  to  be  compelled  to  state,  that  for  some  impro- 
priety of  conduct,  he  was  excluded  from  the  fellowship  of  his 
Christian  brethren.  After  the  lapse  of  two  or  three  years, 
when  satisfactory  evidence  had  been  afforded  to  the  church  of 
his  repentance,  he  was  restored  to  their  affections,  and  to  the 
full  exercise  of  his  ministerial  functions.  To  the  end  of  his 
course  he  exhibited  a  blameless  life,  and  was  made  of  God 
useful  in  his  cause. 

Notwithstanding  the  piety  and  success  of  this  man  of  God, 


WILLIAM    MURPHY.  25 

he  was  evidently  in  some  things  enthusiastic.  He  was  too 
much  inclined  to  regard  his  impressions  as  immediately  from 
heaven.  To  this  he  was  subject  from  childhood.  It  is  partly 
to  be  accounted  for  from  the  fact,  that  he  was  almost  alto- 
gether uncultivated,  and  that  the  early  part  of  his  life  was 
passed  in  a  time  of  comparative  ignorance. 

His  death  took  place  in  1798,  in  the  seventy-second  year  of 
his  age,  having  been  more  than  forty  years  engaged  in  the 
ministry.  His  end  is  said  to  have  been  most  triumphant.  He 
was  willing  to  leave  the  world,  because  he  expected  to  be  with 
Christ.  In  taking  his  departure,  he  said  to  a  friend:  "Do  you 
not  see  the  angels  waiting  to  convey  my  soul  to  glory?" 


WILLIAM    MURPHY 


Although  Elder  William  Murphy  finished  his  course  in  one 
of  the  western  states,  a  brief  reference  to  his  life  and  labors 
deserves  a  place  in  this  work.  Under  the  ministry  of  Elder 
Shubael  Stearns,  he  was  awakened  and  led  to  Christ,  and  by 
him  he  was  baptized.  He  began  to  proclaim  the  gospel  at  a 
very  early  period  of  our  denominational  history,  and  occupied 
quite  a  conspicuous  station  in  the  ministry.  His  labors  were 
mostly  performed  in  the  south-western  parts  of  the  state;  the 
region  now  occupied  by  the  Roanoke  and  Strawberry  Associa- 
tions.    He  preached  much  also  in  the  state  of  North  Carolina. 

His  exertions  were  attended  with  much  success.  As  his 
natural  powers  of  mind  were  good,  his  addresses  attracted  con- 
siderable attention,  and  many  were  brought  to  a  knowledge  of 
the  truth.  The  Lord  honored  him  with  being  the  principal 
instrument  in  the  conversion  of  Samuel  Harriss,  whose  useful- 
ness in  the  church  was  afterwards  so  extensive. 

His  discourses   were  of  a  doctrinal  cast.     About  the    year 

1775,   a    very  considerable  discussion   took   place  among  the 

churches,  on  the  extent  of  the  atonement.     In  this  controversy, 

Elder  Murphy  took  an  active  part.     It  is  believed,   however, 

3« 


26  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

that  he  was  more  ambitious  to  become  the  instrument  of  glo- 
rifying the  Saviour  in  the  salvation  of  souls,  than  to  distinguish 
himself  as  an  able  polemic. 


JOSEPH  MURPHY 


This  laborer  in  the  vineyard  of  Christ,  was  a  brother  to 
William  Murphy.  He  was  baptized  by  Elder  Shubael  Stearns. 
He  did  not,  when  young,  enjoy  very  favorable  opportunities  for 
the  cultivation  of  his  mental  powers.  But  when  born  of  God, 
and  called  to  labor  in  word  and  doctrine,  he  assiduously  ap- 
plied himself  to  study,  and  became  considerably  improved.  He 
was  possessed  of  a  fearless  temper,  and  was  thus  qualified  to 
stem  the  torrent  of  persecution,  which  in  his  day  rolled  in  up- 
on the  church.  He  and  his  brother  were  reproachfully  called 
"the  Murphy  boys,"  in  allusion  to  their  youth.  But  this  he 
regarded  not.  He  was  not  easily  daunted  by  the  opposition  of 
his  foes.  When,  on  a  certain  occasion,  he  was  apprehended 
and  tried  for  daring  to  preach  without  a  warrant  from  the 
establishment,  he  defended  himself  in  the  most  manly  and 
Christian-like  style.  Such  was  the  impression  produced  on  the 
minds  of  those  who  heard  him,  that  he  was  at  once  acquitted 
and  set  at  liberty. 

After  laboring  successfully  many  years  in  the  state  of  Vir- 
ginia, he  removed  to  the  state  of  North  Carolina,  and  became 
pastor  of  a  church  on  Deep  creek,  in  the  county  of  Surry.  In 
that  region,  he  was  eminently  useful.  It  is  said  by  Mr.  Bene- 
dict, that  he  was  considered  the  most  distinguished  minister  of 
the  Yadkin  Association.  His  influence  was  also  considerably 
felt  in  the  state  of  South  Carolina.  In  the  year  1766,  he  assist- 
ed in  the  constitution  of  the  Congaree  church,  which  has  since 
been  much  prospered. 

The  particulars  of  Mr.  Murphy's  last  days  are  not  known. 
He  was  living  in  the  year  1803,  being  then,  more  than  eighty 
years  of  age.  He  was  characterised  for  his  peculiar  cheerful" 
ness,  and  by  all  who  knew  him,  was  much  respected. 


DUTTON    LANE.  27 


OUTTON  LANE, 


Dutton  Lane  was  born  November  7th,  1732,  near  the  city 
of  Baltimore.  At  what  time  he  became  a  resident  of  Virginia, 
is  not  known;  but  he  was  baptized  by  Shubael  Stearns,  in 
1758.  He  was  ordained  to  the  ministry,  and,  probably,  to 
the  care  of  Dan  river  church,  Oct.  22d,  1764,  having  com- 
menced public  speaking  immediately  after  he  was  baptized. 
Mr.  Lane  was  not  a  man  of  much  learning;  but  having  a  strong 
constitution,  a  commanding  voice,  and  fervent  spirit,  he  did 
great  things  in  his  Master's  service. 

Unenlightened  as  the  Virginians  were,  at  that  time,  it  was 
not  to  be  expected  that  he  would  be  allowed  to  go  in  peace. 
His  own  father  was  among  the  first  to  set  his  face  against  the 
Baptists  generally,  and  against  his  own  son  Dutton,  in  particu- 
lar. He  once  pursued  him  with  an  instrument  of  death.  It 
fell  out,  however,  that  instead  of  killing  his  son,  he  was  him- 
self slain  by  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  from  which  he  soon  after 
revived  with  a  hope  of  eternal  life,  and  was  baptized  by  that 
very  son,  whom  he  would  have  slain. 

Mr.  Lane,  was  once  preaching  at  a  place  called  Meherrin, 
in  Lunenburg  county,  where  a  Mr.  Joseph  Williams,  a  magis- 
trate, charged  him  before  the  whole  congregation,  not  to  come 
there  to  preach  again.  Mr.  Lane  mildly  replied,  that  as  there 
were  many  other  places  where  he  could  preach  without  inter- 
ruption, he  did  not  know  that  he  should  come  there  again  short- 
ly. After  wishing  peace  to  the  rest  of  the  company,  he  grave- 
ly addressed  Mr.  Williams,  and  said,  "Little,  sir,  as  you  now 
think  it,  my  impressions  tell  me,  that  you  will  become  a  Baptist, 
a  warm  espouser  of  that  cause,  which  you  now  persecute.''  This 
prediction  came  to  pass;  for,  in  about  twelve  years,  William3 
embraced  religion,  was  baptized  and  became  a  zealous  member, 
and  useful  deacon  in  the  church  that  was  afterwards  formed  at 
that  place. 

•Prepared  by  Elder  R.  B.  Semple. 


28  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

Once  he  was  preaching  against  drunkenness,  and  exposing 
the  vileness  and  danger  of  the  practice,  when  one  John  Giles 
stood  up,  saying,  angrily,  "1  know  who  you  mean,''  and  with 
a  blasphemous  oath,  declared,  "I'll  demolish  you.''  But  this 
self-condemned  sot  was  prevented  from  doing  any  harm. 

One  William  Cocker,  had  conceived  such  malignity  against 
the  Baptists,  that  he  was  accustomed  to  say,  that  he  would 
rather  go  to  hell  than  heaven,  if  going  to  heaven  required  him 
to  be  a  Baptist.  But  falling  in,  accidentally,  where  Mr.  Lane 
preached,  he  was  struck  down  with  deep  conviction;  and  being 
delivered  by  converting  grace,  he  became  a  pious  Baptist. 

Mr.  Lane  continued  preaching  till  his  death;  but  the  latter 
part  of  his  life  was  somewhat  obscured  by  his  adopting  and 
maintaining  certain  strange  opinions.  By  diving  into  subjects 
not  revealed,  and  rather  neglecting  those  which  were  obvious 
and  more  important,  he  was  much  less  regarded.  He  lived 
and  died  a  pious  man,  however,  in  the  estimation  of  those  who 
knew  him  well. 


SAMUEL    HARRIS, 


From  the  few  reminiscences  which  remain  of  the  life  and 
labors  of  Samuel  Harriss,  he  may  be  recognised  as  one  of  the 
most  laborious  and  useful  ministers  of  the  last  century.  He 
was  born  January  12th,  1724,  in  the  county  of  Hanover,  Vir- 
ginia, but  in  early  life  settled  in  Pittsylvania.  Before  his  con- 
version to  God,  he  not  only  maintained  a  reputable  character, 
but  occupied  several  prominent  stations  in  society — su<m  as, 
"church  warden,  sheriff,  justice  of  the  peace,  burgess  for  the 
county,  colonel  of  the  militia,  captain  of  Mayo  fort,  and  com- 
missary for  the  fort  and  army.''  To  fill  these  offices,  he  was, 
without  doubt,  well  qualified,  not  only  by  the  kindness  of  his 
heart,  and  his  engaging  manners,  but  by  the  possession  of  a 
vigorous  and  cultivated  mind. 

It  was  not  until  he  had  reached  his  thirty-fourth  year,  that 
he  became  the  subject  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.     His  se- 


SAMUEL     HARRISS.  29 

rious  impressions  seem  to  have  been  occasioned  by  mingling 
with  the  pious,  and  reading  the  sacred  Scriptures.  He  had 
not  been  accustomed  to  hear  the  gospel  preached  by  the  Bap- 
tists, a  sect  of  people,  who  for  some  time  had  been  exciting 
much  attention  by  the  simplicity  and  zeal  with  which  they  re- 
commended the  truth  of  God.  In  the  perplexity  and  distress  of 
his  mind,  Mr.  Harriss  determined  to  be  present  at  some  of 
their  meetings.  It  is  said  that  when  engaged  in  the  army,  in 
the  discharge  of  his  official  duties,  he  providentially  found  an 
opportunity  of  hearing  the  gospel  by  Joseph  and  William 
Murphy,  who  had  appointed  a  meeting  at  a  house  near  Allen's 
creek,  on  the  road  leading  from  Booker's  ferry  on  Staunton, 
to  Pittsylvania  court-house.  As  the  people  were  collecting, 
Col.  Harriss  rode  up,  splendidly  attired  in  his  military  habit — 
What  is  to  be  done  here,  gentlemen?  said  Harriss.  Preaching, 
colonel!  Who  is  to  preach?  The  Murphy  boys,  sir.  I  be- 
lieve I  will  stop  and  hear  them.  He  dismounted.  The  house 
was  small,  and  in  one  corner  stood  a  loom,  behind  which  the 
colonel  seated  himself.  The  Lord's  eye  was  upon  him,  and 
the  truth  became  effectual  in  deepening  his  convictions.  Such 
was  his  agony  of  mind,  that  at  the  close  of  the  meeting,  his 
sword  and  other  parts  of  his  regimentals,  were  found  scat- 
tered around  him. 

Some  time  after  this,  he  was  introduced  into  the  liberty  of 
the  children  of  God.  His  joy  in  realizing  deliverance  from 
the  kingdom  of  darkness,  was  of  the  most  rapturous  kind — 
and  a  fixed  determination  was  formed  to  consecrate  himself  to 
the  service  of  "Him,  who  died  for  him,  and  rose  again."  Al- 
though, in  view  of  the  persecutions  with  which  the  Baptists 
were  assailed,  and  his  own  elevation  in  society,  there  was 
strong  temptation  to  neglect  his  duty,  he  nevertheless  chose  to 
suffer  affliction  with  this  despised  people,  and  was,  in  1758, 
baptized  by  Elder  Daniel  Marshall. 

He  commenced  his  ministerial  course  during  the  year  suc- 
ceeding his  connection  with  the  church.  It  was  evident  from 
the  time  of  his  conversion,  that  the  Lord  designed  to  make 


30  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

him  extensively  useful  in  building  up  his  cause  in  Virginia. 
He  made  a  relinquishment  of  his  worldly  honors,  and  gave 
himself  wholly  to  the  work  of  preaching  the  gospel.  For 
seven  or  eight  years,  his  labors  were  mostly  confined  to  Pitt- 
sylvania and  the  neighboring  counties.  It  is  remarkable  that 
during  this  time  he  had  not  been  authorised  by  the  church,  of 
which  he  was  a  member,  to  administer  the  ordinances,  although 
he  filled  the  office  of  a  ruling  elder.  Some  peculiarity  of  sen- 
timent relative  to  the  ministerial  office,  was  most  probably  the 
occasion  of  this  delay,  for  while  he  preached  the  word  and 
exercised  the  pastoral  rule,  he  did  not  officiate  in  baptism  and 
the  Lord's  supper. 

In  1769  he  was  ordained,  and  began  to  administer  the  ordi- 
nances. Mr.  James  Ireland,  who  was  afterwards  so  distin- 
guished in  the  Baptist  ministry  of  Virginia,  was  the  first  indi- 
vidual he  baptized.  Mr.  Ireland  thus  refers  to  this  circum- 
stance: "He  was  a  great  favorite  of  the  ministers  in  Virginia, 
and  they  had  planned  it  among  them  that  I  should  be  the  first 
person  he  baptized.  He  was  considered  a  great  man  in  the 
things  of  time  and  sense,  but  he  shone  more  conspicuously  as 
a  luminary  of  the  church.  He  was  like  another  Paul  among 
the  churches.  No  man  was  like-minded  with  him.  As  the 
sun  in  his  strength,  he  passed  through  the  state,  displaying  the 
glory  of  his  adorable  Master,  and  spreading  his  light  and  heat 
to  the  consolation  of  thousands." 

The  following  extract,  from  the  pen  of  Elder  John  Leland, 
will  not  here  be  out  of  place.  At  that  time,  Mr.  Leland  lived 
in  Virginia:  "In  August,  1786,  I  attended  a  meeting  of  the 
General  Committee  at  Buckingham;  after  which,  I  travelled 
southward  to  Pittsylvania,  to  visit  that  great  man  of  God,  Rev. 
Samuel  Harriss.  1  had  met  Mr.  Harriss  before  on  the  banks 
of  James  river,  and  accompanied  him  at  his  meetings  through 
Goochland,  Fluvanna,  and  Louisa,  to  Orange.  At  a  meeting 
in  Goochland,  after  preaching  was  over,  Mr.  Harris  went  into 
the  yard,  and  sat  down  in  the  shade,  while  the  people  were 
weeping  in  the  meeting  house,  and  telling  what  God  had  done 


SAMUEL    HARRISS.  31 

for  them,  in  order  to  be  baptized.  A  gentlewoman  addressed 
Mr.  Harriss  as  follows:  'Mr.  Harriss,  what  do  you  think  all  this 
weeping  is  for?  are  not  all  those  tears  like  the  tears  of  a  cro- 
codile? I  believe  I  could  cry  as  well  as  any  of  them,  if  I  chose 
to  act  the  hypocrite.'  On  this  address,  Mr.  Harriss  drew  a 
dollar  out  of  his  pocket,  and  replied,  'Good  woman,  I  will  give 
you  this  dollar  for  a  tear,  and  repeat  it  ten  times;'  but  the  wo- 
man shed  no  tears.  In  1787,  Col.  Harriss  made  me  a  visit, 
whose  coming  called  out  a  vast  crowd  of  ministers  and  people. 
His  eyes — his  every  motion,  was  preaching;  but  after  he  had 
read  his  text,  bis  mind  was  so  dark  that  he  could  not  preach; 
and  of  course  the  lot  fell  on  me.  From  my  house  he  went 
down  to  Spotsylvania,  where  the  work  of  the  Lord,  like  a 
mighty  torrent,  broke  out  under  his  ministry.'' 

At  this  period,  he  had  become  well  known  throughout  Vir- 
ginia. His  journeying*  had  extended  to  the  more  eastern  and 
northern  portions  of  the  state;  and,  wherever  he  went,  the 
truth,  in  its  simplicity,  was  dispensed.  His  success  as  an  evan- 
gelist, was  most  astonishing.  The  gospel,  preached  by  him, 
was  attended  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  made  effectual  in  the 
conversion  of  many  souls.  It  is  said  that  he  had  been  allowed, 
with  tokens  of  the  Divine  blessing,  to  preach  Christ  crucified  in 
almost  every  part  of  Virginia,  and  in  many  parts  of  North 
Carolina.  The  estimation  in  which  he  was  universally  held, 
may  be  ascertained  from  the  fact,  that  when  the  General  As- 
sociation decided  that  the  apostolic  office  was  designed  by  the 
head  of  the  church  to  be  perpetual,  he  was  unanimously  chosen 
to  fill  this  office.  This  unscriptural  decision  was  made,  and 
the  appointment  conferred  in  the  year  1774.  The  office  was 
retained  by  him  but  a  few  months.  This  circumstance  is  re- 
ferred to,  simply  for  the  purpose  of  showing  how  far,  by  his 
labors  of  love,  he  had  gained  the  affections  and  confidence  of 
his  brethren. 

Perhaps  no  man  of  the  eighteenth  century,  contributed  more 
to  extend  the  truth  and  ordinances  of  the  New  Testament  than 
Samuel  Harriss.     He  was  in  almost  all  respects  well  qualified 


ftjj  BIOURAPHY    OF 

to  secure  the  attention  of  those  who  heard  him.  "His  man- 
ners," says  Mr.  Semple,  "were  of  the  most  winning  sort.  He 
scarcely  ever  went  into  a  house,  without  exhorting  and  praying 
for  those  he  met  there.  As  a  doctrinal  preacher,  his  talents 
were  rather  below  mediocrity;  unless  at  those  times  when  he 
was  highly  favored  from  above,  then  he  would  sometimes  dis- 
play considerable  ingenuity.  His  excellency  consisted  chiefly 
in  addressing  the  heart;  and  perhaps  even  Whitefield  did  not 
surpass  him  in  this  respect.  When  animated  himself,  he 
seldom  failed  to  animate  his  auditory." 

The  fact  has  been  already  alluded  to,  that  his  influence 
among  the  Baptists  of  Virginia  was  deservedly  extensive.  He 
was  called  to  preside  at  most  of  the  associations,  and  other 
meetings  for  business,  which  he  attended.  In  the  struggles 
that  took  place  between  the  Baptists  and  the  established 
church,  he  was  also  honored  to  take  a  very  prominent  part.  He 
was  not,  however,  required  by  his  Master,  to  sustain  the  same 
fiery  persecutions,  which  were  endured  by  some  of  his  brethren. 
His  influence  in  society  previously  to  his  conversion,  as  well  as 
his  naturally  fearless  spirit,  contributed  much  to  his  advantage. 

It  is  not  intimated  that  no  trials  were  suffered,  Or  sacrifices 
made,  by  this  man  of  God.  He  gave  up  all  for  Christ.  "Being 
in  easy  circumstances,"  says  Mr.  Semple,  "when  he  became 
religious,  he  devoted  not  only  himself,  but  almost  all  his  pro- 
perty, to  religious  objects.  He  had  begun  a  large  new  dwell- 
ing house,  suitable  to  his  former  dignity;  which,  as  soon  as  it 
was  finished,  he  appropriated  to  the  use  of  public  worship, 
continuing  to  live  in  the  old  one.  After  maintaining  his  family 
in  a  very  frugal  manner,  he  distributed  his  surplus  income  to 
charitable  purposes."  Persecutions  also  were  suffered.  Among 
other  things  mentioned  by  Mr.  Semple,  he  states,  "that  he  was 
once  arrested  and  carried  into  court  as  a  disturber  of  the  peace. 
In  court,  a  captain  Williams  vehemently  accused  him  as  a 
vagabond,  a  heretic,  and  a  mover  of  sedition  every  where.  Mr. 
IJarriss  made  his  defence.  But  the  court  ordered  that  he 
should  not  preach  in  the  county  again,  for  the  space  of  twelve 


SAMUEL     nARRISS.  33 

months;  or  be  committed  to  prison.  The  colonel  told  them 
that  he  lived  two  hundred  n.iles  from  thence;  and  that  it  was 
not  likely  he  should  disturb  them  again,  in  the  course  of  one 
year.  Upon  this  he  was  dismissed.  From  Culpepper  he  went 
into  Fauquier;  and  preached  at  Carter's  run.  From  thence 
he  crossed  the  Blue-ridge,  and  preached  in  Shenandoah.  On 
his  return  he  called  at  Capt.  Thomas  Clanahan's,  in  the  county 
of  Culpepper,  where  there  was  a  meeting.  While  certain  young 
ministers  were  preaching,  the  word  of  God  began  to  burn  in 
Col.  Harriss's  heart.  When  they  finished,  he  arose  and  ad- 
dressed the  congregation:  lI  partly  promised  the  devil,  a  few 
days  past,  at  the  court-house,  that  I  would  not  preach  in  this 
county  again  in  the  term  of  a  year.  But  the  devil  is  a  per- 
fidious wretch;  and  covenants  with  him  are  not  to  be  kept:  and 
therefore  I  will  preach.'  He  preached  a  lively,  animating 
sermon.     The  court  disturbed  him  no  more.'' 

"On  one  occasion,  in  Orange  county,  he  was  pulled  down  as 
he  was  preaching,  and  dragged  about  by  the  hair  of  the  head, 
and  sometimes  by  the  leg.  His  friend  rescued  him.  On  an- 
other time,  he  was  knocked  down  by  a  rude  fellow,  while  he 
was  preaching.  But  he  was  not  dismayed  by  these,  or  any 
other  difficulties.  To  obtain  his  own  consent  to  undertake  a 
laudable  enterprize,  it  was  sufficient  for  him  to  know  that  it 
was  possible.  His  faith  was  sufficient  to  throw  mountains 
into  the  sea,  if  they  stood  in  the  way.  He  seems  also  never 
to  have  been  appalled  by  the  fear  or  the  shame  of  man.  He 
could  confront  the  stoutest  son  of  pride.'' 

The  views  of  Elder  Harris  underwent  a  very  material 
change  in  the  latter  part  of  his  ministry,  with  reference  to  the 
obligation  of  the  churches  to  support  those  who  employ  their 
time  in  preaching  the  gospel.  For  many  years,  he  not  only 
entertained,  but  taught  the  sentiment,  that  no  pastor  or  evan- 
gelist should  expect  remuneration  for  his  services.  This 
course  was  pursued,  in  opposing  the  support  of  the  established 
church  by  legal  taxation.  But  he  lived  to  deplore  the  extreme 
to  which  he  had  allowed  himself  to  go;  an  extreme  as  opposed 


34  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

to  justice,  as  it  is  to  revelation.  The  following  well  authenti- 
cated anecdotes  exhibit  most  interestingly  his  change  of  opin- 
ion on  this  subject:* 

"He,  with  several  others,  officiated  in  the  ordination  of  a 
young  man,  living  near  the  city  of  Richmond.  This  young 
man  had  a  wife,  and  two  or  three  children,  dependant  on  his 
efforts  for  support;  he  was  in  moderate  circumstances,  but  indus- 
trious and  economical,  and  they  were  comfortable  and  happy. 
In  the  charge  which  was  delivered  by  Elder  Harriss,  he  took 
occasion  to  refer  to  the  salaries  of  ministers,  in  allusion  to  the 
recent  circumstances  of  the  established  religion  in  Virginia, 
and,  adjured  the  young  brother  to  give  his  life  to  the  work, 
trust  to  the  Lord  for  support,  but  never  to  receive  a  cent  for 
preaching;  no,  never!  The  services  closed,  and  the  brethren 
separated.  Some  five  or  six  years  after  this  event,  Elder 
Harriss  and  another  brother,  passing,  late  in  the  evening, 
through  this  neighborhood,  remembered  the  affectionate  and 
talented  young  minister,  wished  to  know  how  he  did,  and  de- 
termined to  spend  the  night  at  his  house.  They  rode  up  to 
his  residence,  but  as  they  approached,  they  observed  that  his 
fields  were  but  half  tilled,  his  fencps  dilapidated,  and  his  farm 
nearly  destroyed  by  the  stock.  His  house  and  yard  were  in 
keeping  with  his  other  affairs.  Every  thing  had  the  appear- 
ance of  neglect,  and  evidently  all  was  hastening  to  ruin.  They 
called.  His  wife  came  to  the  door.  How  changed!  She  did 
not  now  wear   her  former  rosy  and  contented  appearance,  but 

was  emaciated,  pale,  and  care-worn.     Brother was  not  at 

home,  he  was  absent  on  a  tour  of  preaching,  and,  said  his 
companion,  he  is  scarcely  ever  with  lis.  They  told  her  they 
had  come  to  spend  the  night  with  the  family.  She  remarked 
that  nothing  could  n;ive  her  greater  pleasure  than  their  com- 
pany and  conversation,  but  she  had  not  in  the  house  a  meal  to 
place  before  them.  Well,  said  they,  never  mind  that,  feed  our 
horses,  we  are  not  hungry,  we  can  wait  until  morning,  and  stop 

•Extracted  from  "The  Baptist,"  published  in  Tennessee — Elder 
R.  B.  C.  Howell,  editor. 


SAMUEL    IIARKISS.  35 

on  our  way  for  breakfast.  I  am  sorry,  said  she,  we  have  noth- 
ing on  the  farm  we  can  give  your  horses,  unless  we  cut  down 
some  green  corn.     How  is  this,  said   the   venerable   minister, 

does  not  brother provide  for  his  family?    He  cannot  do  it, 

said  his  wife,  weeping — he  preaches  constantly,  and  you  know 
when  he  was  ordained,  you  charged  him  never  to  receive  any 
thing  for  preaching;  to  which  advice,  he  has  always  strictly 
adhered.  The  ministers  bade  her  farewell,  and  turned  away 
from  this  scene  of  suffering  and  poverty  with  aching  hearts. 
The  teachings  of  the  word  of  God  rushed  powerfully  upon  the 
mind  of  Elder  Harriss,  and  he  was  oppressed  with  a  view  of 
the  consequences  of  his  unfaithfulness.  The  next  day,  he  met 
the  congregation;  he  could  no  longer  forbear,  but  nobly  con- 
fessed his  error  before  the  assembled  multitude;  he  that  day 
preached  on  the  duty  of  ministerial  support,  relating  this  event, 
and  reminding  them  of  the  ease  with  which  many  of  them 
who  were  living  in  affluence,  could  relieve  this  distress." 

On  another  occasion,  when  travelling  in  company  with  a 
brother  in  the  ministry,  the  conversation  was  directed  to  this 
subject.  He  confessed  the  error  he  had  indulged  in  the  early 
part  of  his  ministry,  at  the  same  time  deploring  the  influence 
he  had  exerted  on  his  brethren  who  labored  in  word  and  doc- 
trine, and  especially  on  the  churches;  an  influence  which  he 
saw  was  likely  to  be  most  injurious  to  the  interests  of  religion. 
Such  was  the  anguish  of  his  mind,  in  reviewing  his  coursd 
that  he  insisted  on  retiring  to  the  forest  and  making  it  a  sub- 
ject of  special  prayer.  There,  with  strong  crying  and  tears, 
he  lifted  vp  his  confessions  and  petitions  in  the  name  of  his 
ascended  Redeemer. 

Respecting  the  last  moments  of  this  servant  of  Jesus  Christ, 
but  little  is  known.  For  some  time  before  his  death,  he  was 
seized  with  an  attack  of  paralysis,  from  which  he  never  en- 
tirely recovered.  Though  on  this  account  his  labors  were 
much  interrupted,  he  still  continued  to  the  extent  of  his  ability, 
to  recommend  to  all  around  him,  the  service  of  his  Master- 
He  was  not  willing  to  be  an  idler  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord. 


36  BIOGRAPIIV    OF 

At  length,  after  having  seen  more  than  three-score  years  and 
ten,  he  took  his  departure  from  this  scene  of  toil  and  pain,  to 
receive  a  crown  of  life. 

This  sketch  will  be  closed  by  one  or  two  anecdotes,  related 
by  Elder  Semple,  with  a  few  reflections  from  his  pen: 

"When  he  first  began  to  preach,  his  soul  was  so  absorbed  in 
the  work,  that  it  was  difficult  for  him  to  attend  to  the  duties  of 
this  life.  A  man  owed  him  a  sum  of  money,  which  he  actually 
stood  in  need  of,  to  defray  the  expenses  of  his  family.  He 
went  to  the  man,  and  told  him  he  would  be  very  glad  if  he 
would  discharge  the  debt  he  owed  him.  To  which  the  man 
replied,  he  could  not  pay  him  the  money.  Harriss  said,  I  want 
the  money  to  buy  wheat  for  my  family.  You  have  a  good 
crop  by  you,  I  had  rather  have  wheat  than  money.  The  man 
answered,  I  have  other  uses  for  my  wheat.  How,  then,  said 
Mr.  H.  do  you  intend  to  pay  me?  I  never  intend  to  pay  you, 
until  you  sue  me,  replied  the  debtor.  Mr.  Harriss  left  him, 
meditating:  Good  God,  said  he  to  himself,  what  shall  I  do? 
Must  1  leave  preaching  to  attend  to  a  law-suit?  Perhaps  a 
thousand  souls  will  perish  in  the  mean  time,  for  the  want  of 
hearing  of  Jesus.  No!  1  will  not!  Well,  what  will  you  do  for 
yourself?     What?     I  will  sue  him  at  the  court  of  heaven. 

"Having  resolved  what  to  do,  he  turned  aside  into  a  wood; 
and  fell  upon  his  knees,  and  thus  began  his  suit:  'O  blessed 
Jesus!  thou  eternal  God.  Thou  knowest,  that  I  need  the 
money  which  the  man  owes  me,  to  supply  the  wants  of  my 
family;  but  he  will  not  pay  me  without  a  law-suit.  Dear  Jesus, 
shall  I  quit  thy  cause,  and  leave  the  souls  of  men  to  perish? 
Or  wilt  thou,  in  mercy,  open  some  other  way  of  relief?'  In 
this  prayer,  Mr.  II.  found  such  tokens  of  divine  goodness,  that, 
to  use  his  own  words,  Jesus  said  unto  him:  'Harriss!  keep  on 
preaching,  and  I  will  become  security  for  the  payment.' 

"Mr.  H.  having  his  debt  thus  secured,  thought  it  most  pro- 
per to  give  the  debtor  a  discharge.  Accordingly  he  shortly 
after,  passing  by  to  a  meeting,  carried  a  receipt  in  full  to  the 
man's  house;  and  gave  it  to  his  servant,  desiring  him  to  give 


SAMUEL    HARRISS.  37 

it  to  his  master.  On  his  return  by  the  house,  after  meeting, 
the  man  hailed  him  at  his  gate;  and  said,  Mr.  H.  what  did  you 
mean  by  the  receipt  you  sent  this  morning?  Mr.  H.  replied,  1 
meant  just  as  I  wrote.  Well,  but  I  have  not  paid  you,  answered 
the  debtor.  Harriss  said:  True — and  I  know  also,  that  you 
said  you  never  would,  unless  the  money  came  at  the  end  of  an 
execution:  but,  sir,  1  sued  you  in  the  court  of  heaven;  and 
Jesus  has  agreed  to  pay  me.  I  have  therefore  given  you  a 
discharge!  This  operated  so  effectually  upon  the  man's  con- 
science, that  in  a  few  days  he  prepared  and  sent  to  Mr.  H. 
wheat  enough  to  discharge  the  debt. 

"Some  of  the  Christian  worldlings  of  the  present  day,  will 
say:  Aye!  but  this  will  not  do  often.  We  answer:  The  princi- 
ple is  correct,  at  all  times,  viz.  to  commit  our  grievances  to 
our  heavenly  Father,  and  trust  him  for  a  full  recompense. 
How  differently  do  those  brethren  act,  who,  for  the  mere  pelf 
of  this  world,  not  only  go  to  law  with  the  wicked,  but  with 
their  own  brethren?  And  sometimes,  in  order  to  gain  their 
point,  will  strive  to  blast  their  reputation  in  open  court!  For 
the  honor  of  religion  it  must  here  be  added,  that  these  things 
have  seldom  (we  wish  we  could  say  never)  occurred  among 
the  Baptists. 

"A  criminal,  who  had  been  just  pardoned  at  the  gallows, 
once  met  him  on  the  road  and  showed  him  his  reprieve.  Well, 
said  he,  and  have  you  shown  it  to  Jesus?  No,  Mr.  Harriss,  I 
want  you  to  do  that  for  me.  The  old  man  immediately  de- 
scended from  his  horse,  in  the  road;  and  making  the  man  also 
alight,  they  both  kneeled  down.  Mr.  H.  put  one  hand  on 
the  man's  head,  and  with  the  other  held  open  the  pardon. 
And  thus,  in  behalf  of  the  criminal,  returned  thanks  for  his 
reprieve;  and  prayed  for  him  to  obtain  God's  pardon  also. 

"A  volume  might  be  filled  with  entertaining  anecdotes  res- 
pecting this  venerable  man." 


BIOGRAPHY"    OF 


DANIEL     FRISTOE 


Elder  Daniel  Fristoe  was  born  in  the  county  of  Stafford, 
December  7th,  1739.  His  parents  were  in  comfortable  cir- 
cumstances, but  the  advantages  of  even  a  liberal  English  edu- 
cation were  not  enjoyed.  Some  attention  was  given  to  his 
morals,  for,  in  childhood  and  youth,  though  of  sprightly  dispo- 
sition and  fond  of  gay  society,  he  was  never  known  to  indulge 
in  the  grosser  vices  of  the  age.  Up  to  the  time  of  his  con- 
version, he  was  accustomed  to  attend  the  Episcopal  church,  as 
his  father's  family  were  of  that  order. 

Nothing  farther  can  be  gleaned  concerning  him  until  the 
grace  of  God  became  magnified  in  the  renovation  of  his  heart. 
Elder  David  Thomas  seems  to  have  been  the  honored  instru- 
ment of  leading  him  to  the  Saviour,  in  the  23d  year  of  his 
age.  The  following  circumstance,  which  is  related  by  Fristoe 
in  his  history  of  the  Ketockton  Association,  resulted  in  the 
production  of  serious  concern  on  the  subject  of  his  soul's  sal- 
vation. He  was  induced,  probably  by  motives  of  curiosity,  to 
ride  several  miles  to  hear  a  Baptist  minister  preach.  His 
horse  having  escaped  and  left  him,  he  was  compelled  to  remain 
all  night  with  the  family  at  whose  house  the  meeting  was  held, 
and  who  were  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  In  the  even- 
ing, several,  who  a  short  time  previous  had  tasted  and  felt  that 
the  Lord  was  gracious,  visited  the  family,  and  soon  entered 
into  conversation  on  subjects  pertaining  to  the  kingdom  of  God. 
How  much  good  might  be  effected,  if  the  moments  were  gen. 
eraily  thus  spent  by  those  who  fear  the  Lord,  when  they  meet 
together  in  the  social  circle.  They  would  not  only  promote 
each  other's  growth  in  knowledge  and  holiness,  but  a  spirit  of 
inquiry  might  be  awakened  among  those  present  who  knew 
not  God.  Thus  it  was  in  relation  to  Daniel  Fristoe.  He  had 
heard  without  emotion  the  discourse  which  was  preached  in 
the  course  of  the  day,  while  the  free  interchange  of  sentiment 
which  was  indulged  among  the  disciples,  led  to  the  discovery 


DANIEL    F1UST0E.  39 

of  his  lost  estate.  He  retired  under  the  affecting  conscious- 
ness that  he  was  destitute  of  the  pearl  of  great  price.  He 
behold  himself  to  be  justly  exposed  to  wrath,  and  began  to 
seek  the  way  of  salvation.  Under  the  ministry  of  Elder 
Thomas,  he  became  acquainted  with  this  way,  and  joyfully 
walked  therein.  "Jesus  Christ,  and  him  crucified,"  became 
the  foundation  of  his  trust,  and  the  joy  of  his  heart.  He  de- 
layed not  to  make  known  the  happy  change  he  had  realized. 
Immediately  he  was  baptized  by  David  Thomas,  and  "went  on 
his  way  rejoicing.'' 

He  did  not  engage  in  the  work  of  the  ministry  until  several 
years  after  his  conversion.  The  Lord's  cause,  however,  was 
not  forgotten  by  him  during  this  interval.  At  social  prayer- 
meetings  he  was  quite  useful  as  a  leader,  frequently  exercising 
his  talent  in  exhortation.  The  church  of -which  he  was  a 
member,  at  length  encouraged  him  to  devote  himself  fully  to 
the  work  of  the  ministry.  His  own  mind  became  satisfied  that 
it  was  his  duty  to  do  so,  and  subsequent  events  proved  that  the 
Lord  was  with  him  and  blessed  his  labors.  His  journeys 
were  frequent  and  extensive,  during  which  he  made  it  his 
chief  object  to  spread  the  news  of  salvation  through  Jesus 
Christ. 

When  Brent  town  church  was  constituted,  Elder  Fristoe 
was  called  to  preside  over  them.  This  took  place  in  the  year 
1773.  His  labors  having  been  successful  in  the  state  of  Mary- 
land, and  a  church  raised  up,  he  also  became  their  pastor.  In 
conjunction  with  Elder  William  Fristoe,  he  travelled  regularly 
to  the  county  of  Frederick,  a  distance  of  70  miles,  preaching 
the  gospel,  and  was  instrumental  in  originating  Buck  marsh 
church.  Indeed,  wherever  he  went,  many  through  his  ministry 
were  converted  to  God. 

His  discourses  were  mostly  of  the  hortatory  character.  By 
his  brother,  Elder  William  Fristoe,  he  is  represented  as  having 
been  qualified  to  awaken  attention  by  his  warm  and  impassioned 
manner.  There  does  not  seem  to  have  been  much  depth  of 
thought  exhibited,  and  his  style  was  far  from  being  accurate 


40  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

or  beautiful.  But  he  loved  the  souls  of  men,  and  sought  to 
persuade  them  to  turn  from  their  sins  to  God.  He  was  also 
very  deeply  concerned  to  promote  the  harmony  and  purity  of 
the  churches. 

"An  anecdote,  related  by  William  Fristoe,  who  survived  his 
brother  Daniel  many  years,  shows  the  sources  of  ingenuity 
possessed  by  the  latter,  whose  ministerial  career,  though  short, 
was  remarkably  successful.  The  surviving  brother,  being 
himself  a  careful  and  sound  interpreter  of  the  Scriptures, 
though  he  related  the  anecdote  with  much  pleasure,  by  no 
means  recommended  a  licentious  freedom  in  spiritualizing  the 
Divine  word.  During  a  public  meeting,  two  preachers  were 
appointed  to  preach  to  the  same  congregation  on  the  same 
evening,  the  last  of  whom  was  Daniel  Fristoe.  It  so  happened 
that  the  first  preacher  delivered  a  tedious  and  uninteresting 
discourse.  Daniel  perceived  that  the  congregation  were  weary, 
and  was  sensible  that  his  labor  would  be  in  a  great  measure 
lost,  unless  he  could,  by  some  expedient,  rouse  and  fix  their  at- 
tention. He  therefore,  upon  rising,  proposed  to  dismiss  the 
congregation,  that  the  weary  might  retire,  suggesting  at  the 
same  time,  that  if  there  were  any  who  felt  themselves  suffi- 
ciently free  from  fatigue  to  remain,  he  would  address  them 
after  the  others  had  withdrawn.  He  moreover  proposed,  for 
the  satisfaction  of  those  who  might  go,  to  tell  them  the  text 
from  which  he  designed  to  speak;  and,  accordingly,  opening 
the  book  of  Judges,  he  read  a  portion  respecting  Sampson 
and  the  foxes.  He  then  paused  for  the  congregation  to  retire, 
but  in  vain,  for  the  hearers  were  riveted  to  their  seats,  and 
were  all  attentive  to  hear  what  could  be  said  about  Sampson 
and  the  foxes.  A  rigid  expounder  of  Scripture,  such  as 
William  Fristoe  was,  would  have  perceived  very  little  gospel 
in  this  historical  narrative;  but  the  inventive  genius  of  Daniel 
was  at  no  loss  to  find  occasion  for  discourse  concerning  his 
Saviour.  Under  the  figure  of  Sampson  the  strong,  he  exhib- 
ited Him  who  is  the  power  of  God;  and  he  pointed  out  parallel 
circumstances  in  their  birth,  their  exploits,  and  their  victories 


DAVID    THOMAS.  41 

at  death.  Under  the  figure  of  the  foxes,  he  portrayed  the 
ministers  of  the  gospel,  wild  hy  nature,  hut  tamed  and  brought 
into  the  service  of  the  Redeemer  by  his  invincible  power,  and 
sent  forth  two  and  two,  with  the  craftiness  of  foxes,  though 
with  the  harmlessness  of  doves.  From  the  tying  of  the  foxes 
to  each  other,  he  inferred  the  agreement  and  affection  that 
should  subsist  between  gospel  ministers.  The  fire-brands  be- 
tween their  tails,  the  burnt  harvest  of  the  Philistines,  and  their 
consequent  starving  poverty,  were,  to  the  lively  imagination  of 
the  preacher,  instructive  emblems  of  the  terrors  of  the  law, 
with  which  Christ's  ministers  are  armed,  the  destruction  of  a 
sinner's  self-righteous  hopes,  and  the  miserable  poverty  to 
which  he  is  reduced,  when  he  is  brought  at  length  to  lie  a  help- 
less suppliant  at  the  Redeemer's  feet.  This  exposition  was 
followed  by  a  most  animated  exhortation.  No  man  slept;  but 
the  hearts  of  many  were  moved,  and  God  blessed  the  truth 
which  was  brought  to  view  in  this  extraordinary  and  ingenious 
discourse.'' 

His  ministerial  career  was  brief.  Having  been  appointed  a 
messenger  from  Ketockton  to  the  Philadelphia  Association,  he 
was,  while  in  the  last  named  city,  seized  with  the  small  pox, 
from  which  he  partially  recovered,  but  before  he  could  return 
home,  a  relapse  terminated  his  existence.  He  died  at  Marcus 
Hook,  in  the  3.">th  year  of  his  age.  His  remains  were  taken 
back  to  Philadelphia,  and  interred  in  the  burial  ground  of  the 
Baptist  church.  He  left  to  mourn  his  loss,  a  wife  and  seven 
children,  while  his  churches  were  deprived  of  a  faithful  and 
laborious  pastor. 


DAVID     THOMAS, 


Elder  David  Thomas  was  born  at  London  Tract,  Penn- 
sylvania, August  16th,  1732.  What  the  circumstances  of  his 
parents  were,  is  not  known;  though  it  is  ascertained  that  when 


42  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

a  youth,  he  enjoyed  facilities  for  the  cultivation  of  his  intellect- 
ual powers.  He  was  educated  at  Hopewell,  New  Jersey,  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  distinguished  Isaac  Eaton.  Such  were 
his  literary  attainments,  that  the  Rhode  Island  College  (now 
Brown  University)  conferred  on  him  the  degree  of  Master  of 
Arts. 

No  particulars  have  been  obtained  respecting  the  conver- 
sion of  Mr.  Thomas,  or  his  entrance  into  the  work  of  preach- 
ing the  gospel.  He  seems  to  have  commenced  his  labors  as 
a  minister  when  quite  young.  Several  excursions  to  the  state 
of  Virginia  were  made  by  him  before  his  removal  thither, 
which  took  place  in  the  twenty-eighth  year  of  his  age.  Eigh- 
teen months,  or  more,  were  spent  in  the  county  of  Berkely. 
Fn  the  year  1762,  he  visited  Fauquier  county,  became  instru- 
mental in  originating  Broad  run  church,  and  afterwards,  on 
invitation,  became  their  pastor. 

"The  origin  of  the  Broad  run  church,  and  the  manner  in 
which  Mr.  Thomas  was  introduced  among  them,  is  thus  related. 
A  short  time  previous  to  his  removal  to  Virginia,  two  men  in 
this  region,  without  any  public  preaching,  became  much  con- 
cerned about  their  souls;  were  convinced  of  the  reality  of  vital 
religion,  and  that  they  were  destitute  of  it.  While  laboring 
under  these  convictions,  they  heard  of  the  Baptists  (New 
Lights,  as  some  called  them)  in  Berkely  county,  and  travelled 
about  sixty  miles  over  a  mountainous  way,  in  search  of  them. 
By  the  preaching  and  conversation,  they  were  much  enlighten- 
ed and  comforted,  and  were  so  happy  as  to  find  what  had  hith- 
erto been  to  them  nfiysterious,  how  a  weary  and  heavy-laden 
sinner  might  have  rest.  The  name  of  one  of  these  men  was 
Peter  Cornwell,  who  afterwards  lived  to  a  good  old  age,  and 
was  so  eminent  for  his  piety,  as  to  receive  from  his  neighbors 
and  acquaintance  the  title  of  'St.  Peter.'  It  is  related  by  Mr. 
Edwards,  'that  this  Peter  Cornwell  induced  Edmund  Hays  (the 
same  man  who  removed  from  Maryland  to  Virginia  in  1743) 
to  remove  and  settle  near  him,  and  that  interviews  between  the 
families  of  these  two  men  were  frequent,  and  their  conversation 


DAVlt)    THOMAS.  43 

religious  and  devout;  insomuch  that  it  soon  began  to  be  talked 
of  abroad  as  a  very  strange  thing.  Many  came  to  see  them, 
to  whom  they  related  what  God  had  clone  for  their  souls.  They 
exhorted,  prayed,  read  the  Bible,  and  other  good  books,  to  the 
spreading  of  seriousness  through  the  whole  neighborhood, 
Cornwell,  and  his  companion  (whose  name  is  not  mentioned) 
in  a  short  time  made  a  second  visit  to  Berkely,  and  were  bap- 
tized; and  divine  Providence  had  so  ordered  matters,  that  in 
this  visit  they  met  with  Mr.  Thomas,  whom  they  invited  to  go 
down  and  preach  among  them.  He  accepted  the  invitation,  and 
settled  with  them  as  before  related,  and  soon  became  the  in- 
strument of  diffusing  gospel  light  in  Fauquier  and  the  adjoin- 
ing counties,  where  ignorance  and  superstition  had  long  pre- 
vailed." 

"Mr.  Thomas  is  said  to  have  been  a  minister  of  great  dis- 
tinction in  his  day.  Beside  the  natural  endowments  of  a  vigor- 
ous mind,  and  the  advantages  of  a  classical  and  refined  educa- 
tion, he  had  a  melodious  and  piercing  voice,  a  pathetic  address, 
expressive  action,  and,  above  all,  a  heart  filled  with  love  to 
God  and  his  fellow  men.  During  a  few  of  the  first  years  of  his 
ministry  in  Virginia,  he  met  with  much  persecution,  being 
frequently  assaulted  both  by  individuals  and  mobs.  Once  he 
was  pulled  down  while  he  was  preaching,  and  dragged  out  of 
the  house  in  a  barbarous  manner.  At  another  time,  a  malev- 
olent individual  attempted  to  shoot  him,  but  a  bystander  wrench- 
ed the  gun  from  him,  and  thereby  prevented  the  execution  of 
his  wicked  purpose.  The  slanders  and  revilings  he  met  with, 
says  Mr.  Edwards,  were  innumerable;  and  if  we  may  judge  of 
a  man's  prevalency  against  the  devil,  by  the  rage  of  the  devil's 
children,  Thomas  prevailed  like  a  prince.  But  the  gospel  had 
tree  course;  and  Broad  run  church,  of  which  he  was  pastor, 
within  six  or  ei<rht  years  from  its  establishment,  branched  out 
and  became  the  mother  of  five  or  six  others.  The  Chappa- 
wamsick  church  was  constituted  from  Broad  run  in  1766.'' 

"Elder  Thomas  travelled  much,  and  the  fame  of  his  preach- 
ing drew  the  attention  of  the  people  throughout  an  extensive 


44  BIOGRAPHY   OP 

circle,  so  that  in  many  instances  they  came  fifty  and  sixty 
miles  to  hear  him.  It  is  remarkable  that  about  this  time, 
there  were  multiplied  instances  in  different  parts  of  Virginia, 
of  persons,  who  had  never  heard  any  thing  like  evangelical 
preaching,  but  who  were  brought,  through  divine  grace,  to  see 
and  feel  their  want  of  vital  godliness.  Many  of  these  persons, 
when  they  heard  of  Mr.  Thomas  and  other  Baptist  preachers, 
would  travel  great  distances  to  hear  them,  and  to  procure  their 
services,  as  ministers  of  the  gospel.  By  this  means  the  gospel 
was  first  carried  into  the  county  of  Culpepper.  Mr.  Allen 
Wyley,  a  man  of  respectable  standing  in  that  county,  had  been 
thus  turned  to  God,  and  not  knowing  of  any  preacher  in  whom 
he  had  confidence,  he  had  sometimes  gathered  his  neighbors, 
read  the  scriptures,  and  exhorted  them  to  repentance;  but  be- 
ing informed  of  Mr.  Thomas,  he,  with  some  of  his  friends,  tra- 
velled to  Fauquier  to  hear  him.  As  soon  as  he  heard,  he 
knew  the  joyful  sound,  submitted  to  baptism,  and  invited  him 
to  preach  at  his  house.  He  also  preached  in  the  county  of 
Orange,  and,  in  company  with  Eider  Garrard,  carried  the  word 
of  life  through  all  the  upper  counties  of  the  Northern  Neck."  * 
Elder  Thomas  ultimately  removed  to  Kentucky.  He  lived 
to  an  advanced  age,  and  for  sometime  before  his  death  was 
nearly  blind. 


JOSEPH    ANTHONY, 


Tnis  laborer  in  the  Lord's  vineyard,  was  among  the  early 
fruits  of  the  preaching  of  Elders  Reed  and  Harriss,  in  the 
county  of  Goochland.  He  was  baptized  by  J.  Waller,  in  one 
of  his  journies  through  that  region,  and  united  with  the  Dover 
church.  He  had  previously  improved  every  opportunity  of 
exhorting  his  fellow  men,  and  immediately  on  his  connexion 
with  the  church,  he  devoted  himself  to  the  work  of  preaching 

*  Extracted,  with  some  alterations,  from  Semple  and  Benedict. 


JOSEPH    ANTHONY.  45 

the  gospel.  Nor  was  his  labor  vain.  Wherever  he  went,  the 
Lord  was  with  him,  giving  him  many  seals  to  his  ministry. 
For  a  time  he  was  actively  engaged  with  Mr.  Webber  in  the 
county  of  Chesterfield;  and  was  successful  in  the  constitution 
of  two  or  three  churches.  Afterwards  he  became  an  associate 
with  Elder  Elijah  Baker,  in  the  counties  between  Richmond 
and  Hampton.  He  finally  removed  to  the  western  part  of 
this  state,  and  became  the  pastor  of  Otter,  and  Burton's  creek 
churches,  in  the  Strawberry  Association.  In  these  churches 
he  was  useful.  Many  were,  through  his  means,  introduced 
into  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  After  his  settlement  in  the  county 
of  Henry,  his  efforts  were  more  confined  than  formerly,  but  he 
was  not  less  diligent.  In  the  Strawberry  Association,  he  was 
always  considered  a  judicious  and  active  man.  When  the 
Mayo  Association  was  formed,  he  was  chosen  their  Moderator, 
and  continued  in  this  office  until  his  death. 

In  the  early  part  of  his  ministry,  he  suffered  much  from  the 
opposition  of  the  enemies  of  the  cross  of  Christ.  He  was  among 
those  who  were  immured  in  the  jail  of  Chesterfield  in  1770, 
'71.  He  however  maintained  his  steadfastness,  and  continued, 
with  all  boldness,  to  declare  the  whole  council  of  God.  Such 
was  the  power  of  his  ministry  while  in  jail,  as  he  lifted  up  his 
voice  and  proclaimed  Christ  to  the  crowds  without,  that  it  was 
judged  the  best  policy  to  dismiss  him.  The  jailor  was  directed 
to  shut  the  door  of  his  cell,  but  to  leave  it  unlocked,  that  it 
might  be  reported  he  had  fled  from  prison.  Mr.  Anthony 
chose  to  continue.  The  door  was  then  left  open — still  he  re- 
mained. He  was  then  persuaded,  with  his  fellow  prisoner, 
to  escape.  But  he  replied,  "they  have  taken  us  openly,  un- 
condemned,  and  have  cast  us  into  prison;  and  now,  do  they 
cast  us  out  privily?  Nay,  verily;  but  let  them  come  themselves 
and  fetch  us  out." 

Mr.   Anthony's   talents  were  not  above  mediocrity.       Few, 
however,  of  all  who  have  labored  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord, 
in  Virginia,  have  been  more  unwearied  than  he,  or  more  suc- 
cessful.    What  tended  more  than  all  to  his  usefulness,  was  his 
5 


46  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

fervid  piety.  He  loved  his  Master,  and  cheerfully  counted  all 
things  but  loss,  that  he  might  extend  his  kingdom  and  glory. 
In  all  his  intercourse  with  his  fellow  men,  he  manifested  a 
lively  concern  for  their  salvation,  and  it  is  said  that  he  almost 
invariably  made  it  a  practice  to  converse  atfectionately  with 
them,   warning  them  to  escape  the  wrath  to  come. 


OH  N     WEATHER  FORD, 


Although  this  servant  of  the  Redeemer  has  but  recently 
gone  the  way  of  all  the  earth,  he  was  born  nearly  a  century 
ago,  perhaps  about  the  year  1740.  The  place  of  his  nativity 
was  Charlotte  county.  His  parents  were  poor,  though  res- 
pectable. They  were  both  members  of  the  Presbyterian  de- 
nomination; his  father  sustaining  the  office  of  Elder  in  the 
church  over  which  Mr.  David  Rice,  a  distinguished  Presbyte- 
rian minister,  presided.  Nothing  worthy  of  notice  occurred 
in  his  childish  years,  except  that  he  was  remarkable  for  the 
sprightliness  of  his  disposition. 

He  does  not  appear  to  have  been  attentive  to  his  soul's  in- 
terests until  he  was  awakened  by  hearing  a  discourse  delivered 
by  Elder  S.  Harriss.  This  produced  serious  reflection.  The 
more  he  prosecuted  his  inquiries;  the  more  numerous  and  ag- 
gravated his  sins  appeared.  He  represents  himself  as  having 
long  struggled  against  the  New  Testament  plan  of  salvation. 
He  sought,  by  good  works,  to  recommend  himself  to  God,  but 
all  his  efforts  failed.  He  found  himself,  on  every  hand,  defect- 
ive, and  pursued  by  a  fiery  law  which  cried  for  vengeance. 
Strange  it  is  that  men,  whose  whole  lives  have  been  a  series 
of  rebellion  against  the  Divine  Majesty,  and  who,  in  their  best 
attempts  at  reformation,  are  still  unholy,  should  so  strongly  in- 
cline to  seek  justification  by  their  own  merits.  But  thus  it  is. 
The  enmity  of  the  carnal  heart  exhibits  itself  by  continual 


JOHN    WEATHflRFORD.  47 

endeavors  to  palliate  sin,  and  to  resist  the  righteousness  of 
God.  The  subject  of  this  memoir  persisted  in  exertions  to 
make  himself  worthy,  until,  in  despair,  he  fled  to  Christ. 
Here  he  found  relief.  His  burden  was  removed.  The  eyes  of 
his  understanding  being  enlightened,  he  saw  that  God  could  be 
just,  and  yet  justify  the  sinner  who  believes  in  Jesus.  Now 
there  was  peace  with  God  through  a  Mediator.  He  could  noio 
glory  only  in  the  cross. 

It  has  been  stated,  that  his  seriousness  was  occasioned  by 
hearing  a  sermon  from  Elder  Harriss.  At  this  time,  the  Bap- 
tists had  not  excited  much  attention.  Indeed  they  were  but 
little  known.  When  Mr.  W.  became  a  converted  man,  he  had 
not  thought  of  the  distinction  which  existed  between  the  Pres- 
byterians and  tbe  Baptists.  In  reading  the  New  Testament  he 
was  surprised  to  find  so  many  passages  apparently  favoring  the 
practice  of  the  latter.  As  he  himself  said,  he  was  almost  ready 
to  think  he  had  found  a  spurious  copy.  He  endeavored  however, 
to  satisfy  himself  by  banishing  the  subject  from  his  mind;  but 
it  was  all  in  vain.  He  then  sought  from  his  father  such  an  ex- 
planation as  might  enable  him  to  join  the  Presbyterian  church. 
Here  also  he  failed.  With  the  confidence  of  having  his  scru- 
ples removed,  as  his  last  alternative,  he  sought  an  interview 
with  Mr.  Rice.  This  conversation  proved  more  satisfactory. 
But  in  re-perusing  the  scriptures,  all  his  difficulties  returned. 
A  second  time  he  conversed  with  the  minister,  but  without  be- 
ing convinced  of  the  exclusive  scriptural  propriety  of  believers' 
baptism.  Finding  his  young  friend  rather  disposed  to  contest 
the  subject,  Mr.  Rice  said  to  him,  "I  perceive  you  will  be  a  Bap- 
tist, go,  and  the  Lord  be  with  you.''  His  sincerity  was  now 
brought  to  the  test.  He  had  been  taught  to  regard  the  prac- 
tice of  the  Pedobaptists  as  correct.  His  family  and  friends 
belonged  to  that  party.  The  Baptists  were  few,  poor,  and  des- 
pised. They  were  suffering  much  on  account  of  their  dis- 
tinctive tenets.  If  he  should  unite  with  them,  he  must  expect 
to  pass  through  fiery  tribulation.  But  no  conference  was  held 
with  flesh  and  blood.     As  soon  as  he  became  thoroughly  con- 


48  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

vinced  of  his  duty,  he  at  once  obeyed  his  Lord,  by  being  buried 
with  him  in  baptism.  This  was  before  he  had  reached  his 
20th  year. 

From  the  time  of  his  conversion,  he  manifested  a  peculiar 
concern  for  the  welfare  of  immortal  souls.  Though  young,  he 
determined  to  commence  a  prayer  meeting  in  the  vicinity  of  his 
father's  residence.  This  he  conducted  with  much  propriety 
and  success.  The  neighbors  were  astonished  at  the  holy  bold- 
ness of  this  young  disciple;  and  believing  he  was  influenced 
by  benevolent  motives,  encouraged  him  to  persevere.  He 
soon  began  to  preach.  It  is  worthy  of  remark  that  he  receiv- 
ed much  approbation  in  his  labors  from  other  denominations, 
although  he  was  himself  a  warm  and  decided  Baptist. 

The  entrance  of  Elder  W.  into  the  ministry  must  have  oc- 
curred about  the  year  1761.  He  became  at  once  a  zealous  and 
successful  herald  of  the  cross.  He  not  only  preached  in  his 
native  county,  but  travelled  much,  especially  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  state.  As  he  was  among  the  earliest  Baptist  minis- 
ters of  Virginia,  it  was  his  honor  to  suffer  persecution  for  the 
sake  of  Christ.  Naturally,  he  was  a  man  of  courage,  but  it 
was  the  promise,  "Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,"  that  enabled  him 
to  meet  the  coming  storm.  Trusting  in  the  Lord,  he  feared 
no  evil.  Neither  stripes  or  imprisonment  deterred  him  from 
the  performance  of  duty.  The  rulers  of  the  Episcopal  church 
were  much  vexed  at  the  success  of  Mr.  W.  Wherever  he 
went,  his  ministry  was  attended  by  crowds,  and  many  were 
converted  through  his  instrumentality.  It  was  a  source  of 
great  mortification  that  a  plain  man,  without  any  pretensions 
to  learning,  should  so  far  obtain  the  confidence  of  the  people. 
Various  measures  were  adopted  to  silence  him  and  his  fellow 
laborers.  But  they  preferred  obedience  to  God  rntlier  than 
man,  even  at  the  expense  of  liberty  and  life.  Having  gone 
down  as  far  as  Chesterfield,  preaching  the  good  news  of  salva- 
tion, he  was  arrested  by  Col.  Cary,  and  thrown  into  prison. 
He  was  in  confinement  five  months.  During  this  incarcera- 
tion, he  enjoyed  much  of  the  Divine  presence.    And,  as  it  was 


JOHN    WEATHERFOItD.  49 

with  the  Apostle,  his  trials  only  promoted  the  furtherance  of 
the  gospel.  He  continued  to  exercise  a  powerful  influence  in 
the  county.  Says  the  brother  who  communicated  these  facts: 
"His  courage  forsook  him  not.  The  love  of  Christ  constrained 
him.  He  preached  at  the  door  of  the  prison  as  long  as  allowed 
the  privilege;  when  refused  that,  he  preached  through  the 
grates  of  the  window.  But  such  determined  opposition  did  he 
meet,  that  an  effort  was  made  by  his  enemies  to  put  a  stop  to 
that  also.  For  this  purpose  they  built  an  outer  wall  above  the 
grate,  but  Weatherford  devised  means  to  overcome  the  obstacle. 
A  handkerchief,  by  the  congregation,  was  to  be  raised  on  a 
pole,  above  the  wall,  as  a  signal  that  the  people  were  ready  to 
hear.  His  voice  being  very  strong,  he  could  throw  it  beyond 
these  impediments,  and  convey  the  words  of  life  and  salvation 
to  the  listening  crowd.  Before  his  release,  some  souls  were 
blessed,  and  he  was  owned  as  the  honored  instrument  in  their 
conversion.  During  this  imprisonment  a  circumstance  occurred, 
which  we  beg  leave  to  record.  Of  those  who  felt  that  they  had 
experienced  the  renovating  influence  of  Divine  grace,  nine 
wished  to  follow  their  Master,  by  being  buried  in  baptism.  He 
sent  to  his  native  county  for  Elder  Williams  to  come  down,  to 
perform  the  ordinance,  but  he  shrunk  from  the  dangerous  un- 
dertaking. Ha  then  remembered  that  Elder  Chastain,  of  Buck- 
ingham, was,  as  he  thought,  of  a.  truer  stamp,  and  sent  for  him. 
He  came,  and  in  the  night,  or  perhaps  about  twilight,  these 
persons  were  baptized. 

"By  the  kindness  of  Patrick  Henry  (of  whom  he  never 
spoke  but  with  a  glow  of  affection)  he  obtained  the  prison 
bounds,  and  by  his  further  aid,  was  ultimately  liberated." 

This  imprisonment  of  Elder  W.  occurred  in  the  year  1773. 
After  his  liberation,  he  returned  home,  to  labor  with  still  greater 
efficiency,  in  his  Master's  cause.  The  vindictive  spirit  mani- 
fested by  the  enemies  of  the  cross,  only  served  to  increase,  in 
his  own  heart,  the  impression  of  responsibility  to  Christ.  There 
was  felt,  too,  more  deeply,  the  necessity  of  bringing  gospel  in- 
fluences to  bear  upon  the  depraved   passions  of  men.     He  saw 


50  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

that  submission  to  the  peaceful  reign  of  Messiah  alone,  would 
control  these  passions,  and  make  the  world  what  it  ought  to  be. 
And,  especially,  was  it  known  by  him,  that  this  gospel  was  the 
power  of  God,  and  the  wisdom  of  God  unto  salvation.  He 
could  not,  therefore,  but  speak  the  truth.  The  unsearchable 
riches  of  Christ  must  be  declared. 

How  far  he  was  successful  in  the  constitution  of  new  churches, 
is  not  known  by  the  biographer.  Nor  has  it  been  ascertained, 
whether  in  the  early  part  of  his  ministry,  he  presided  over  any 
of  the  churches.  He  was  then  mostly  engaged  as  an  evange- 
list. Near  the  close  of  the  last  century,  he  became  pastor  of 
Cub  creek  church,  in  Charlotte,  and  Lower  Fallings,  of  Camp- 
bell county.  Mr.  Semple  states,  in  his  history,  that  these 
churches  prospered  under  his  ministry. 

In  1813,  he  removed  to  the  county  of  Halifax,  and  in  1823, 
to  Pittsylvania,  where  he  closed  his  days.  For  several  years 
before  his  death,  he  became  too  infirm  to  travel  far  from  home, 
but  frequently  preached  in  his  own  neighborhood.  His  inter- 
est in  divine  things  never  diminished.  The  ^reat  truths,  on 
which,  during  a  long  ministry,  he  delighted  to  dwell,  were  still 
the  joy  of  his  heart.  During  his  last  sickness,  he  frequently 
referred  to  the  astonishing  love  of  God,  to  poor  sinners.  Every 
day,  he  requested  the  beautiful  lines  of  Newton  to   be   sung: 

"Amazing  grace,  how  sweet  the  sound,"  &c 

Those  present  would  be  called  to  his  bed-side,  that  he  might 
speak  to  them  of  the  loving  kindness  of  the  Lord.  Sometimes 
he  would  shout  the  divine  praises  aloud.  His  faith,  to  the  last, 
was  unwavering.  He  died  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Nowlen,  on  the 
23d  of  January,  1833,  being  more  than  ninety  years  of  age. 

This  venerable  servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  was  distinguished  for 
the  length  of  time  he  was  employed  in  his  Master's  cause. 
Between  seventy  and  eighty  years,  did  he  preach  a  crucified 
Saviour,  and  recommend  him  to  the  lost  and  guilty.  He  was 
willing  to  suffer,  and  he  did  suffer  much,  for  the  sake  of  Christ. 
His  temporal  circumstances  were  far  from  being  comfortable. 


JOHN    WEATHERFORD.  51 

With  a  large  family,  having  had  fifteen  children,  twelve  of 
whom  were  daughters,  he  often  found  it  difficult  to  obtain  for 
them  the  necessaries  of  life.  He  is  another  of  those  painful 
instances,  of  laborious  effort,  in  preaching  the  gospel,  without 
receiving  a  competent  support.  With  many  of  his  brethren, 
he  had  labored  to  pull  down  a  religious  establishment,  which 
had  been  sustained  by  a  graceless  and  salaried  ministry.  But 
while  the  churches  rejoiced  in  the  demolition  of  a  system  so 
pernicious,  they  allowed  themselves  to  build  up  another,  equally 
abhorrent  and  dangerous.  They  saw  men  making  the  ministe- 
rial office  a  mere  sinecure,  and  loudly  condemned,  but  they 
forgot  that  the  faithful  laborer  is  worthy  of  his  hire.  The 
delusion  of  those  they  opposed,  did  not  consist  in  liberally  sup- 
porting their  ministers,  but  in  obtaining  the  support,  by  com- 
pulsory measures.  While  they  should  have  resisted  all  civil, 
or  national  interference  in  religious  matters,  attention  ought  to 
have  been  paid  to  the  maintenance  of  their  pastors,  by  liberal 
voluntary  contributions.  In  consequence  of  this  neglect,  El- 
der W.  was  often  compelled,  either  to  neglect  the  ministry, 
and  labor  on  his  farm,  or  allow  his  family  to  suffer. 

"He  was  himself  a  man  of  generous  heart,  and  sometimes 
suffered  temporarily,  by  excessive  liberality.  Though  he  was 
of  large,  majestic  stature,  he  was  remarkable  for  the  tenderness 
of  his  spirit.  He  possessed  the  softness  of  a  little  child.  He 
was  true  to  his  trust,  which  he  ever  kept  inviolate,  though 
sometimes  at  a  heavy  loss.  These  last  remarks  may  he  illus- 
trated by  the  following  circumstance,  which  he  would  relate 
with  the  most  grateful  acknowledgment  of  the  kindness  of  his 
benefactors.  There  lived  by  him,  a  man  in  embarrassed  cir- 
cumstances, whose  wagon  and  team,  his  main  support,  were 
stopped  by  the  sheriff",  just  starting  to  Richmond.  Though 
Weatherford  had  no  confidence  in  the  man,  yet  sympathy  for 
the  family,  prompted  him  to  be  bail.  The  man  failed  to  fulfil 
his  engagements,  upon  which  Weatherford's  only  horse  was 
taken,  in  a  busy  season,  and  left  with  him  to  produce,  on  the 
day  of  sale.     He  carried  it,  knowing  his  crop  must  be  lost,  if 


52  BIOGRAPHY     OF 

his  horse  was  sold.  But  on  his  arrival,  and  the  case  being 
known,  Col.  Watkins,  a  county  man,  but  not  a  neighbor,  ad- 
dressed the  company;  'Gentlemen,  this  worthy  and  industrious 
minister,  must  not  lose  his  horse,  by  the  treachery  of  one 
whom  he  relieved.  We  should  not  suffer  it.  Come  to  this 
table,  and  show  your  sympathy  for  suffering  innocence.'  So 
saying,  he  put  down  a  five  dollar  bill  on  the  table,  and  called 
on  the  company  to  follow.  The  amount  was  soon  made  up, 
and  Mr.  Weatherford  rode  home  to  finish  his  crop.'' 

In  the  pulpit,  Elder  Weatherford's  manner  was  interesting. 
Though  he  did  not  exhibit  the  attractive  graces  of  oratory,  he 
commended  the  truth,  in  its  simplicity,  to  the  consciences  of 
men.  He  was  a  diligent  reader  of  the  Scriptures,  and  an  able 
expositor.  "Sometimes,"  says  one  who  knew  him  well,  "he 
would  almost  electrify  his  congregations,  by  the  originality  and 
ingenuity  of  his  thoughts.  On  a  certain  occasion,  he  was 
proving  that  Christ  was  the  Messiah,  he  remarked,  'Even  the 
devils  knew  him,  but  he  suffered  them  not  to  testify,  they  shall 
not  be  witnesses  now,  as  my  Lord  would  not  allow  them  then, 
I  will  pass  them  by,  as  He  did,  but  tell  you  as  1  pass,  why  he 
did  not  admit  their  testimony.  It  makes  against  any  man's 
cause,  to  produce  questionable  evidence,  and  these  were  per- 
jured witnesses.'  " 

In  sentiment  he  was  Calvinistic.  He  heartily  approved  of 
all  efforts,  which  were  likely  to  be  productive  of  good.  He 
was  heard  to  say,  "although  I  believe  in  salvation,  by  grace, 
yet  antinomianism,  the  perversion  of  this  precious  truth,  which 
leads  to  fold  hands,  and  wait  God's  time,  comes  directly  from 
the  infernal  pit,  and  will  carry  you  there."  "His  sou!  would 
kindle  with  holy  joy,"  says  a  Christian  brother,  "when  in  his 
sickness  -I  would  read  of  Judson,  and  other  missionaries;  the 
effects  of  Sabbath  schools,  of  Bible  and  Tract  societies.  He 
was  in  favor  of  any  plan  that  might  spread  the  savor  of  the 
Redeemer's  name,  and  meliorate  the  condition  of  his  fellow- 
creatures." 


REUBEN    FORD.  53 


REUBEN     FORD 


For  half  a  century,  Elder  Reuben  Ford  was  known  as 
an  active  and  useful  minister  of  the  gospel,  among  the  Baptists 
of  Virginia.  He  commenced  his  labors  in  those  times  which 
"tried  men's  souls,''  and  then,  he  was  an  able  and  fearless  de- 
fender of  the  truth,  as  it  is  ill  Jesus.  He  was  allowed  also  to 
reach  that  period,  when  the  fires  of  persecution  had  ceased  to 
burn,  and  to  behold  the  Redeemer's  empire,  extending  itself 
throughout  the  whole  state  of  Virginia. 

Elder  Ford  was  born  about  the  year  1742.  No  information 
has  been  obtained,  concerning  his  early  history.  In  the  20th 
year  of  his  age,  under  the  preaching  of  George  Whitefield, 
he  became  convinced  of  his  lost  condition  as  a  sinner,  and  fled 
for  refuge,  to  lay  hold  of  the  hope  set  before  him  in  the  gospel. 
He  was  not  baptized  until  about  seven  years  after,  when,  having 
heard  Elders  Read  and  Harriss  preach,  he  publicly  put  on  the 
Lord  Jesus,  and  became  attached  to  the  Baptist  church.  Pre- 
viously, however,  he  had  frequently  addressed  his  fellow-men, 
calling  on  them  to  escape  the  wrath  to  come.  After  his  bap- 
tism, having  been  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  he 
became  a  most  active  laborer,  in  declaring  the  unsearchable 
riches  of  Christ.  In  the  county  of  Goochland,  especially,  were 
his  efforts  successful.  A  large  number  were  introduced  into 
the  liberty  of  the  children  of  God,  and  in  the  year  1771;  the 
Goochland  church  was  constituted,  with  about  seventy-five 
members.  This  was  among  the  earliest  Baptist  churches  of 
the  state  of  Virginia.  Elder  Ford  became  their  pastor.  Such 
was  the  success  of  his  ministrations,  that  this  church  greatly 
increased  in  numbers,  and  efficiency.  In  the  year  1799,  a 
season  of  refreshing,  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  was  en- 
joyed, during  which  one  hundred  and  twenty  were  added. 
Another  revival,  confined  mostly  in  its  effects  to  the  colored 
people,  was  realized  in  1906.  Thus,  from  time  to  time,  did 
the  Lord   attend  the  efforts  of  his  servant,  with   tokens  of  his 


54  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

approbation.  In  1773,  several  members  were,  by  letter,  dis- 
missed from  the  Goochland  church,  for  the  purpose  of  form- 
ing another  in  an  adjoining  neighborhood,  which  was  called 
by  the  name  of  Dover.  At  several  periods,  other  colonies 
were  sent  out,  viz.  Chicahominty,  in  1776;  Licking  Hole,  in 
the  same  year,  and  Hopeful,  in  1807.  Many  ministers,  also, 
were  called  out  into  the  field,  from  the  Goochland  church. 

During  a  great  part  of  his  ministry,  Elder  Ford  had  the 
charge  of  three  or  four  churches;  in  addition  to  this,  he  fre- 
quently extended  his  labors  into  other  neighborhoods,  preach- 
ing the  gospel  of  Christ.  He  took  a  leading  part  in  all  the 
efforts  of  the  denomination.  For  more  than  thirty  years,  in 
succession,  he  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  Dover  Association. 
On  various  occasions,  he  belonged  to  important  committees, 
whose  duty  it  was,  to  present  to  the  Legislature  the  views  of 
the  Baptists,  concerning  the  grievances,  which,  for  a  series  of 
years,  had  been  imposed  by  the  establishment. 

Perhaps  no  man  was  more  universally  respected  and  beloved. 
Though  his  talents,  as  a  preacher,  were  not,  by  any  means, 
brilliant,  yet  his  simplicity,  affection,  and  faithfulness,  obtained 
the  attention  of  all  who  heard  him.  The  blamelessuess  of  his 
life,  tended  much  to  increase  his  usefulness,  and  throughout  all 
the  circle  of  his  influence,  he  enjoyed,  in  no  common  degree, 
the  confidence  of  the  people.  All  believed  him  to  be  a  Chris- 
tian, because  they  saw  in  the  uniformity  of  his  life,  the  fruits 
of  the  Spirit.  The  following  testimony,  from  Semple's  His- 
tory of  the  Virginia  Baptists,  is  now  valuable,  although  it  may 
be  doubted  whether  it  is  most  judicious,  so  highly  to  eulogize 
any  living  minister;  it  was  written  several  years  before  Elder 
Ford's  death. 

"Mr.  Ford  is  now  about  sixty-eight  years  of  age,  and  is  a 
venerable  man  indeed.  Few  men  ever  deceived  less  by  their 
physiognomy  than  Elder  Ford.  No  man  ever  sees  him,  who 
does  not  view  him  with  reverence,  at  his  first  appearance,  and 
no  man  ever  was  disappointed  in  him.  Grave,  without  the 
least  moroseness;  cheerful,  without  a  symptom  of  levity;  modest, 


REUBEN    FORD.  55 

gentle,  and  affectionate,  in  his  manners,  yet  firm  in  his  pur- 
poses; he  has  every  thing  out  of  the  pulpit,  which  might  serve 
as  a  model,  of  a  gospel  minister;  his  life  is  truly  spotless,  his 
talents  are  of  the  useful  kind;  in  his  doctrine  he  is  somewhat 
tinctured  with  Arminianism." 

A  very  strong  attachment  to  the  suhject  of  this  memoir, 
was  cherished  hy  the  churches  over  which  he  presided.  It 
could  not  be  otherwise.  As  their  bishop,  he  manifested  pecu- 
liar tenderness  and  concern  for  their  spiritual  prosperity.  He 
was  not  satisfied,  unless  their  fruitfulness  abounded. 

"Purity,  in  principles  and  practice,  (he  at  one  time  remarks,) 
renders  a  church  amiable  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  comely  in 
the  sight  of  the  world;  thereby  is  God  glorified,  and  by  this 
heavenly  light,  are  sinners  brought  over,  and  made  to  embrace 
the  holy  gospel  of  the  blessed  Jesus.  As  sound  principles,  and 
a  wholesome  discipline  reflect  honor  upon  the  holy  author  of 
our  religion,  they  have  also  a  tendency  to  promote  the  peace 
of  the  churches.'' 

Respecting  the  duty  of  the  pastor  and  deacon,  he  thus  speaks: 
"A  gospel  church,  suitably  organized,  will  have  its  minister 
and  deacons.  There  are  relative  duties  these  owe  to  each 
other,  which  are  too  much  neglected.  It  is  the  minister's 
duty,  diligently  to  preach  the  word,  administer  the  ordinances 
of  Christ,  to  take  care  of,  watch  over,  and  feed  the  flock  of 
God.  The  deacon's  duty  is  to  serve  the  church,  in  temporal 
matters,  providing  the  elements  for  the  Lord's  table,  and  to 
stir  up  the  members  of  the  church  to  their  duty,  in  making 
contribution  for  all  necessary  expenses,  particularly  for  the  re- 
lief of  poor  members,  and  the  support  of  their  minister.'' 

Some  years  previous  to  the  death  of  this  venerable  servant  of 
the  Redeemer,  considerable  efforts  were  made  by  the  Baptists, 
to  spread  among  the  heathen,  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 
To  some  extent,  these  efforts  were  opposed  by  him.  But  their 
results  excited  his  surprize,  and  for  several  months,  before  he 
left  this  world,  he  professed  to  be  thoroughly  convinced  of  their 
propriety.     A   worthy  deacon   of  one   of  his  churches,   now 


56  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

living,  has  frequently  heard  him  express  his  deep  regret  at  the 
unfounded  prejudices  he  indulged  against  the  missionary  cause. 
He  even  went  so  far  as  to  say,  that  he  believed  the  Lord  had 
afflicted  him,  on  account  of  the  opposition  he  had  manifested. 
For  many  months,  he  was  confined  to  his  house  most  of  the 
time.  The  infirmities  of  age  continuing  to  increase,  he  was  at 
length  unable  to  ride,  as  usual,  to  the  house  of  God.  He 
would  then  frequently  prevail  on  his  friends  to  take  him  thither, 
and,  supported  in  the  pulpit  by  his  brethren,  he  would,  to  the 
extent  of  his  ability,  exhort  the  church  to  continue  in  well- 
doing.    Thus  he  closed  his  life. 


RICHARD    MAJOR. 


According  to  the  testimony  afforded  by  Elder  William 
Fristoe,  in  his  history  of  the  Ketockton  Association,  Richard 
Major  was  a  most  excellent,  and  useful  minister  of  the  last  cen- 
tury. He  was  born  near  Pennsbury,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  year 
1722,  and  was  educated  under  the  influence  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  When  quite  a  youth,  his  mind  was  frequently  dis- 
turbed, by  painful  apprehensions,  of  the  wrath  to  come.  The 
gaieties  of  life,  were  sought  as  a  refuge,  to  shield  him  from  the 
remonstrances  of  conscience,  and  the  denunciations  of  the 
divine  word.  No  permanent  satisfaction,  from  this  source, 
was  obtained,  for  the  consciousness  of  guilt,  and  danger, 
still  oppressed  him.  Afterwards,  he  endeavored  to  satisfy 
himself  by  the  indulgence  of  sceptical  views.  Serious  doubts, 
concerning  the  plan  of  mercy,  revealed  in  the  gospel,  were 
entertained.  The  sport  of  conflicting  thoughts  and  emotions, 
he  was  driven  from  one  source  to  another,  until  every  unright- 
eous hope  failed,  and  he  fled  to  the  cross  of  Christ,  for  conso- 
lation. Here  relief  was  found.  The  clamors  of  conscience 
were  hushed  to  silence,  all  perplexing  doubts  and  fears  were 
removed,  and  his  soul  made  happy  in  believing.  For  some  time 
after   his  conversion,    he   was  a  regular  communicant  of  the 


RICHARD    MAJOR.  57 

Presbyterian  church.  He,  however,  became  convinced  of  his 
guilt,  in  neglecting  the  important  institution  of  baptism,  and 
determined  to  take  up  his  cross,  and  follow  his  Master,  into  the 
watery  tomb.  He  was  baptized  by  Elder  Isaac  Steele,  of  New 
Jersey,  in  the  year  1764.  Two  years  after  his  immersion,  he 
removed  to  the  state  of  Virginia,  and  settled  in  the  county  of 
Loudoun.  The  circumstances  which  led  to  the  devotion  of  his 
life  to  the  ministry,  were  peculiar.  Having  been  called  to  lead 
in  social  meetings,  he  adopted  the  plan  of  reading  printed  ser- 
mons  to  the  people;  serious  impressions  were,  in  this  way, 
made  on  the  minds  of  many,  and  they  were  induced  to  procure 
the  books,  and  read  for  themselves.  While  engaged  in  reading, 
he  would  frequently  leave  the  author,  and  break  out  in  most 
earnest  and  affectionate  exhortations.  By  degrees  he  laid  aside 
the  printed  sermons,  and  with  the  Bible  as  his  text-book, 
began  to  teach  his  fellow  men  the  way  of  salvation.  His  ex- 
ample, in  this  respect,  is  worthy  of  imitation.  How  much 
good  might  be  effected,  if  deacons,  and  private  members  of  our 
churches,  were  more  active  in  conducting  prayer-meetings, 
and  reading  well  selected  discourses,  or  the  word  of  God,  to 
the  people.  There  is  scarcely  a  congregation  of  believers,  in 
which  some  individuals  may  not  be  found,  who  are  qualified  for 
services  of  this  kind.  Indeed,  there  is  reason  to  believe,  that 
there  are  many  in  our  land  remaining  inactive,  whose  duty  it 
is  to  go  forth  as  the  heralds  of  salvation.  The  course  now 
suggested,  would  afford  an  opportunity  for  the  developement  of 
those  dormant  gifts,  which  a  church  may  possess,  and  result 
in  vast  good  to  the  people  at  large. 

In  1768,  he  was  ordained  as  the  pastor  of  Little  river 
church.  Reference  to  his  success,  while  he  sustained  this  re- 
lation, is  found  in  Semple's  History  of  the  Virginia  Baptists. 
It  is  there  stated,  that  Little  river  church  was  formed  of  indi- 
viduals, who  had  been  converted  under  the  ministry  of  D. 
Thomas.  It  is  then  added,  "In  this  work,  however,  he  was 
powerfully  aided  by  Rev.  Richard  Major,  their  first  pastor; 
for  although  the  first  seed  was  sown  by  Mr.  Thomas,  yet  Mr. 
6 


58  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

Major  watered  and  nourished  the  plants,  until  he  brought  them 
to  perfection.  So  rapidly  did  the  gospel  spread,  in  this  church, 
that  just  two  years  after  they  were  constituted,  they  were  the 
most  numerous  church  in  the  association;  having  two  hundred 
and  seventy-two  members.  Her  branches,  however,  extended 
into  the  neighboring  parts.  When  any  of  these  branches 
became  sufficiently  numerous,  they  were  constituted  into  new 
churches,  by  which  the  mother-church  was  reduced  in  numbers. 
During  Mr.  Major's  life,  they  were  a  happy  and  united  people, 
greatly  attached  to  their  minister.  After  his  death,  they  were 
without  any  regular  pastor  for  some  years." 

In  regard  to  his  influence  in  another  church,  called  Bull 
run,  Elder  Semple  states,  "When  the  gospel  was  carried  here 
by  the  amiable  Richard  Major,  a  great  revival  of  religion  arose, 
so  that  in  a  little  time  a  church  was  constituted,  having  one 
hundred  and  twenty-six  members.  From  the  constitution  of 
new  churches,  &c.  their  number  had  become  somewhat  re- 
duced, until  about  1792,  they  had  the  smiles  of  heaven,  and 
large  additions  were  made.  Not  many  less  than  a  hundred 
were  baptized;  by  which  this  church  rose  to  higher  prosperity 
than  she  had  ever  previously  enjoyed."  In  addition  to  his 
pastoral  labor,  he  performed  much  in  the  work  of  the  Lord  as 
an  itinerant.  Six  or  eight  churches  were  originated,  princi- 
pally through  his  instrumentality. 

There  were  two  particulars  in  which  this  man  of  God  ex- 
celled— an  affectionate  spirit,  and  habits  of  indefatigable  indus- 
try. Such  was  the  urbanity  of  his  manners,  that  all  who  knew 
were  compelled  to  love  him.  In  this  consisted  much  of  the 
secret  of  his  usefulness.  The  law  of  love  being  deeply  im- 
pressed upon  his  heart,  he  was  kind  in  all  his  reproofs  and 
warnings,  and  with  peculiar  earnestness,  recommended  to  his 
dying  fellow  men,  Christ,  as  able  and  willing  to  save  to  the  ut- 
termost, all  that  came  to  him.  In  this  respect,  he  closely  imi- 
tated his  Lord  and  Master.  Wherever  he  went,  he  seemed 
intent  on  doing  good.  He  was  most  assiduous  in  performing 
whal  he  knew  to  be  duty.     With  an  iron  constitution,  he  was 


RICHARD    MAJOR.  59 

able  to  endure  the  severest  hardships,  and  always  seemed  most 
happy  when  he  could  be  useful  to  his  fellow  men.  His  jour- 
neys were  frequent  and  extensive.  His  vigorous  powers  of 
mind  and  body  were  thus  faithfully  devoted  to  Him  whom  his 
sotd  loved.  "So  much  was  he  esteemed  in  the  latter  part  of 
his  life,  that  he  had  serious  apprehensions,  that  he  must  be  too 
much  at  ease  for  a  gospel  minister;  or,  in  other  words,  it 
seemed  as  if  the  expression,  'woe  be  unto  you  when  all  men 
speak  well  of  you,''  applied  to  his  case.  In  the  midst  of  these 
thoughts,  he  accidentally  heard  a  man  lay  to  his  charge  one  of 
the  most  abominable  crimes.  At  first  he  felt  irritated;  but, 
recollecting  his  previous  reflections,  he  was  soon  reconciled." 

Elder  Major  did  not  pass  through  his  ministerial  career 
without  suffering  some  of  the  persecutions  which,  in  his  time, 
were  heaped  upon  the  lovers  of  Jesus.  From  Edwards  and 
Semple,  the  following  paragraphs  are  selected,  in  which  a  few 
particulars  are  given,  respecting  the  rude  treatment  he  received 
from  the  enemies  of  the  cross  of  Christ.  "In  Fauquier  county, 
the  officer  with  a  warrant  from  Capt.  Scott,  attempted  to  take 
him,  but  providentially  failed.  At  Bull  run  there  were  war- 
rants against  him,  and  a  mob,  with  clubs,  rose  to  assist  the 
execution  of  them;  but  here  again  they  failed  of  their  design, 
chiefly  by  means  of  the  Davises,  usually  called  the  giants;  those 
stout  brothers  had  been  prevailed  on  to  oppose  him;  but  after 
they  had  heard  him  preach,  they  became  well  affected  towards 
him,  and  threatened  to  chastise  any  that  should  disturb  him. 
In  Fauquier,  the  mob  were  very  outrageous,  but  did  no  mis- 
chief, though  his  friends  feared  they  would  have  pulled  him 
to  pieces." 

"A  certain  man,  whose  wife  had  been  baptized  by  Mr.  Major, 
determined  to  kill  him  on  sight,  and  went  to  meeting  for  that 
purpose.  He  sat  down  in  hearing,  intending  to  catch  at  some 
obnoxious  expression,  which  might  fall  from  the  preacher,  and 
under  that  pretence,  to  attack  him.  But  God  produced  a  dif- 
ferent result;  for  the  man,  instead  of  executing  his  design,  be- 
came so  convicted  that  he  could  not  keep  on  his  feet;  and  was 


60  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

afterwards  baptized  by  the  man  he  intended  to  murder.  Another 
actually  attacked  him  with  a  club,  in  a  violent  manner.  Mr. 
Major,  being  remarkable  for  great  presence  of  mind,  turned 
to  him,  and,  in  a  solemn  manner,  said,  'Satan,  I  command 
thee  to  come  out  of  the  man.'  His  club  immediately  began  to 
fall,  and  the  lion  became  as  quiet  as  a  lamb.  These  are  a 
few  of  the  many  occurrences  of  this  kind,  that  took  place  in  the 
long  life  of  this  valuable  man." 

Concerning  the  close  of  his  highly  useful  life,  Elder  Semple 
thus  writes:  "For  ten  or  twelve  years  before  his  death,  his 
sturdy  constitution  began  to  fail.  He  was  attacked  by  the 
gravel,  a  very  painful  disease;  and,  in  order  to  gain  relief,  he 
went  to  the  medicinal  springs.  From  the  water  he  could  get 
no  relief;  but,  by  apparent  accident,  he  was  informed  of  a  remedy; 
which,  upon  trial,  he  found  very  effectual.  This  gave  him 
respite  for  several  years.  But,  being  attacked  by  the  same 
disease  again,  after  a  tedious  and  painful  illness,  he  finished  his 
course  at  about  fourscore  years  of  age.  He  has  doubtless  found 
a  bright  mansion  in  his  Father's  kingdom." 


JOH  N    MEGLAMARE.  " 


As  it  is  nearly  forty  years  since  the  subject  of  this  biogra- 
phy was  removed  from  his  earthly  labors,  but  few  persons  are 
to  be  found,  who  have  any  distinct  recollection  of  facts,  such 
as  would  furnish  an  extended  record  of  his  life.  In  justice, 
however,  to  him  and  the  cause  of  Christ,  it  would  not  be  proper 
to  allow  such  memorials  as  do  exist,  to  perish.  He  was  born 
June  the  7th,  1730,  in  one  of  the  northern  states.  It  is  not 
known  whether  he  was  under  the  tuition  of  pious  parents,  or 
how  far  the  circumstances  of  his  early  life  were  favorable  to  the 
origination  of  serious  thought.  Be  this  as  it  may,  it  is  ascer- 
tained that  he  was  not  altogether  unconcerned  on  the  subject  of 
religion,  when  quite  a  youth.     Previous  to  his  conversion,  he 


JOHN    MEGLAMARE.  61 

had  removed  to  Halifax  county,  North  Carolina.  Here  he  be- 
came acquainted  with  God's  method  of  salvation,  and  joined 
tlie  Kehukee  church,  under  the  care  of  Elder  Thos.  Pope. 
This  was  in  the  34th  year  of  his  age. 

His  labors  in  the  ministry  commenced  shortly  after  his  con- 
nexion with  the  church.  While  engaged  in  preaching  the 
gospel  in  his  own  county,  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  afflict  the 
church,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  by  the  removal  of  their 
much  esteemed  pastor.  Elder  Meglamare  was  called  to  succeed 
him,  and  continued  to  fill  the  pastoral  office  in  the  Kehukee 
church,  until  the  year  1772.  The  following  were  the  circum- 
stances which  led  to  his  resignation: 

In  1770,  during  one  of  his  preaching  excursions  in  Sussex 
county,  Va.,  such  indications  of  divine  approbation  were  given, 
that  he  was  encouraged  to  make  stated  appointments;  and  for 
several  months  continued  to  visit  that  people,  preaching  mostly 
in  private  houses.  A  most  interesting  state  of  religious  feel- 
ing, throughout  the  neighborhood,  was  the  result.  Many  be- 
came the  subjects  of  the  Prince  of  Peace,  and  were  baptized 
by  Elder  Meglamare,  among  whom  was  Mr.  James  Bell,  a 
man  of  much  influence  in  the  county,  and  afterwards  a  useful 
minister  of  the  gospel.  Under  these  circumstances,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  memoir  yielded  to  the  solicitations  of  the  people, 
and  removed  to  Sussex.  Shortly  after,  a  church,  consisting  of 
eighty-seven  members,  was  constituted  on  Raccoon  swamp,  and 
he  was  chosen  to  be  their  under-shepherd.  In  this  station  he 
was  eminently  useful.  The  Lord  added  to  the  church,  daily, 
such  as  should  be  saved.  He  was  not,  however,  satisfied  with 
feeding  the  flock  of  God,  but  travelled  extensively  through  the 
adjacent  counties.  The  churches  of  Mill  swamp,  Black  creek, 
Seacock,  and  High  hills,  were  brought  into  existence  chiefly 
through  his  instrumentality.  Until  a  short  time  previous  to 
his  death,  he  continued  a  most  diligent  and  persevering  laborer 
in  the  work  of  the  Lord.  When,  in  consequence  of  age  and 
enfeebled  health,  he  found  himself  unable  to  prosecute  the  du- 
ties of  his  office,  he  resigned  the  care  of  Raccoon  swamp 
ft* 


62  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

church  to  Elder  Browne,  who  was  unanimously  chosen  his 
successor. 

During  the  whole  of  his  ministry,  Elder  Meglamare  was 
held  in  high  reputation.  This  is  indicated  by  the  fact,  that  for 
more  than  twenty  years  before  the  division  of  the  Kehukee 
Association,  he  was  invariably  called  to  the  chair  at  their  annual 
meetings.  He  was  one  of  those  who  assisted  in  the  formation 
of  that  body,  and  contributed  not  a  little  in  stemming  the  tide 
of  error  which,  in  that  early  day,  was  beginning  to  flow  in 
upon  the  churches.  By  his  wisdom  and  firmness,  in  a  great 
degree,  were  the  disciples  brought  into  harmonious  co-operation. 
In  the  year  1791,  the  Portsmouth  Association  was  formed. 
As  long  as  he  lived;  and  was  able  toattend  the  yearly  meetings, 
he  was  always  elected  to  preside  over  its  deliberations.  As  a 
disciplinarian  in  the  church,  and  a  guide  inassociational  bodies, 
he  was  very  useful. 

It  has  been  stated,  that  some  time  before  his  death,  he  was 
compelled  to  relinquish  his  pastoral  relation.  This  was  occa- 
sioned by  the  most  distressing  asthmatic  complaints,  which 
continued  until  Dec.  13th,  1799,  when  his  Master  dismissed 
him  from  the  toils  of  this  life,  in  the  70th  year  of  his  age. 
"Precious  in  the  si<jht  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his  saints.'' 


ELIJAH     CRAIG, 

The  earliest  information  which  has  been  obtained  respect- 
ing Elijah  Craig,  is  connected  with  his  conversion,  about  the 
year  1764.  Having  heard  Elder  David  Thomas  preach,  he 
was  arrested  in  his  indifference  to  divine  things,  and,  for  a 
length  of  time,  was  much  alarmed,  in  the  consciousness  of  his 
fallen  and  helpless  condition.  At  length  his  mind  became 
somewhat  relieved,  though  not  satisfied.  In  1765,  he  found  an 
opportunity  of  hearing  the  word  of  salvation,  by  Samuel  Har- 


ELIJAH    CRAIG.  63 

riss,  and  such  was  the  coincidence  between  his  own  views  and 
feelings,  and  the  delineation  of  gospel  truth,  drawn  by  Elder 
Harriss,  that  he  became  perfectly  satisfied,  and  rejoiced  in  the 
freedom,  wherewith  Christ  had  made  him  free.  He  began,  at 
once,  to  exhort  his  fellow-men,  whenever  he  could  collect  them, 
in  his  neighborhood.  Says  Mr.  Semple,  "His  tobacco  house 
was  their  chapel.  Being  most  uf  them  laboring  men,  they 
used  to  labor  all  day,  and  hold  meetings  almost  every  night,  at 
each  other's  houses,  and  on  Sundays  at  the  above  mentioned 
tobacco  house.  By  these  little  prayer  and  exhortation  meet- 
ings, great  numbers  were  awakened,  and  several  converted.'' 

In  a  short  time  he  began,  amid  much  persecution,  to  extend 
his  exertions,  and  to  preach  wherever  he  went,  that  the  blood 
of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  from  all  sin.  In  these  exercises,  he 
was  accompanied  by  several  others,  who  were  of  a  kindred 
spirit.  The  Lord  wrought  by  them,  and  attended  their  efforts, 
by  his  signal  smile.  In  the  county  of  Culpepper,  he  met  with 
much  opposition.  One  of  the  exhibitions  of  violence,  on  the 
part  of  his  enemies,  is  thus  referred  to,  by  Elder  Semple. 
"They  sent  the  sheriff  and  posse  after  him,  when  at  his  plough. 
He  was  taken,  and  carried  before  three  magistrates  of  Culpep- 
per. They,  without  hearing  arguments,  pro  or  con,  ordered  him 
to  jail.  At  court,  he,  with  others,  was  arraigned.  One  of  the 
lawyers  told  the  court,  they  had  better  discharge  them;  for  that 
oppressing  them,  would  rather  advance,  than  retard  them.  He 
said,  they  were  like  a  bed  of  camomile,  the  more  they  were 
trodden,  the  more  they  would  spread.  The  court  thought 
otherwise,  and  determined  to  imprison  them.  Some  of  the 
court  were  of  opinion,  that  they  ought  to  be  confined  in  a  close 
dungeon,  but  the  majority  were  for  giving  them  the  bounds. 
Mr.  Craig  says,  'they  were  fed  on  rye  bread  and  water,  to  the 
injury  of  their  health.'  After  staying  there  one  month,  preach- 
ing to  all  who  came,  he  gave  bond  for  good  behavior,  and  came 
out.     He  was  also  confined  in  Orange  jail,  at  another  time. 

Mr.  Craig  was  considered  a  man  of  considerable  talent.  No 
doubt  can  be*  entertained,  that  what   he  did  possess,  he  em- 


64  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

ployed  well.  With  a  zeal,  which  the  floods  of  persecution 
could  not  quench,  he  prosecuted  his  Master's  work,  and  was 
made  a  blessing  to  many.  In  his  labors,  as  pastor  of  Blue  run 
church,  he  was  very  successful.  It  became  a  large  and  flour* 
ishing  body. 

In  the  year  1786,  he  removed  to  Kentucky.  There  he  un- 
happily became  implicated  in  some  personal  altercation;  which 
resulted  in  his  exclusion  from  the  church.  He  was,  however, 
restored,  and  continued  in  fellowship,  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  the  year  1808.  He  seemed,  by  this,  and  other 
circumstances,  to  have  given  way,  in  his  declining  age,  to  a 
censorious  temper.  It  is  said,  by  Mr.  Semple,  that  "in  a 
pamphlet  he  published,  he  undertakes  to  prove,  that  stationed 
preachers,  or  pastors  of  churches,  are  precluded  by  the  Scrip- 
tures from  receiving  any  compensation  for  their  services.  In 
this  pamphlet,  he  takes  so  many  opportunities  to  condemn 
preachers  for  being  money  seekers,  that  it  would  seem,  the  main 
design  of  the  publication,  was  to  indulge  a  fault-finding  temper." 


JOHN     PICKET, • 


Mr.  Picket  was  born  in  King  George  county,  January  14th, 
1744,  of  respectable  parentage.  He  had,  when  grown  to  the 
years  of  maturity,  a  very  strong  propensity  to  gaming,  and  sports 
of  every  kind.  He  followed  the  business  of  a  dancing  master; 
and  probably,  with  a  view  to  obtain  employment,  as  well  as  to  in- 
dulge his  propensity  for  sport,  he  went,  about  the  year  1764, 
or  1765,  to  Pee  Dee,  in  North  Carolina.  God  intended  this 
tour  for  a  very  different  purpose.  While  there,  he  attended  a 
meeting  of  Joseph  Murphy's,  one  of  the  earliest  Baptist  preach- 
ers, in  those  parts.  Murphy  spoke  a  word,  in  season,  to  this 
prodigal.     He  came  to  himself.    He  began  to  loathe  the  sports 

•  By  Elder  R.  B.  Semple. 


JOHN     PICKET.  65 

and  pleasures,  to  which  he  had  heen  devoted.  He  went  to  his 
father,  and  was  feasted  with  the  fatted  calf,  and  clothed  with 
the  best  robe.  He  was  baptized  by  J.  Murphy,  in  1766.  Soon 
as  he  felt  the  smiles  of  his  heavenly  Father,  he  wrote  to  his 
earthly  parents,  in  Fauquier,  informing  them  of  this  marvellous 
change.  They  were  astonished  beyond  measure.  To  them, 
it  was  strange  indeed,  that  this,  their  lost  son,  should  become 
so  fervently  pious;  while  their  other  sons,  that  they  had  always 
with  them,  continued  to  be  the  same.  This  letter  produced  great 
alarm  in  the  family,  and  some  good  effects.  Mr.  Picket  con- 
tinued in  North  Carolina  for  some  time,  being  unwilling  to 
leave  the  society  of  those  to  whom  he  was  united,  by  ties 
stronger  than  death.  He  did  not  return  to  Fauquier,  until 
after  the  death  of  his  father,  in  1767.  When  he  came,  finding 
his  friends  and  neighbors  overshadowed  with  ignorance,  he 
began  to  warn  them,  commencing  first  with  private  conversa- 
tion, and  exhortation,  then  with  family  worship.  Those  exer- 
tions being  crowned  with  success,  many  being  convicted,  and 
some  converted,  he  began  to  preach.  Mr.  Picket  then  pro- 
cured a  visit  from  Mr.  Murphy,  who  came  to  Fauquier,  and 
baptized  a  kw.  The  work  spread  far  and  near.  Mr.  Picket, 
being  fervent  in  spirit,  and  thus  encouraged,  held  not  his 
peace,  day  nor  night,  but  proclaimed  boldly,  the  things  of 
God.  In  the  fall  of  1768,  Messrs.  Harriss  and  Read  came, 
and  baptized  thirty-seven  more,  and  constituted  them  into  a 
church,  November  12th,  1768,  under  the  name  of  Carter's 
run.  Mr.  Picket  was  ordained,  and  took  the  care  of  this 
church,  May  27th,  1772.  His  zeal  and  activity  could  not  pass 
unnoticed,  by  the  enemies  of  the  cross.  The  mob  broke  into 
the  meeting  house,  and  split  to  pieces  the  pulpit  and  table, 
while  the  magistrates  issued  their  warrant,  and  seizing  Mr. 
Picket,  thrust  him  into  Fauquier  prison.  There  he  continued  for 
about  three  months,  preaching  through  the  grates,  and  admon- 
ishing as  many  as  came  to  him,  to  repent  and  turn  to  God. 
The  word  of  God  was  not  bound.  Great  numbers  were 
awakened   under  his  prison  labors.     This  took  place  about 


BIOGRAPHY'    OF 


1760.  When  he  was  turned  out  of  prison,  he  increased  his 
zeal,  and  extended  his  labors  to  Culpepper,  and  over  the  Blue- 
ridge,  where  he  was  so  successful,  that,  on  the  first  baptizing 
that  was  supposed  ever  to  have  taken  place  in  Shenandoah,  as 
many  as  fifty  were  baptized.  He  was  never  wearied  in  well 
doing,  but  continued  steadfast  to  the  end.  We  will  now  close 
our  account  of  him,  in  the  words  of  the  manuscript,  furnished 
by  one  of  the  members  of  his  own  church: 

"He  was  sound  in  faith,  calling  on  sinners  to  repent,  not 
sparing  himself,  but  giving  his  labors  to  the  Lord,  and  to  his 
fellow  men.  Towards  his  latter  days,  his  zeal  for  the  good  of 
s  >uls  seemed  to  increase.  About  June,  1803,  he  told  his  wife 
that  his  work  was  finished,  tenderly  beseeching  her,  and  his 
children,  to  serve  the  Lord,  and  so  fell  asleep.'' 

Well  might  the  unrighteous,  but  enlightened  prophet,  wish 
to  die  the  death  of  the  righteous. 


WILLIAM    FRISTOE. 


Being  one  of  those  who  stood  up  in  defence  of  the  truth, 
amid  fiery  persecutions,  the  subject  of  this  memoir  was,  while 
he  lived,  the  object  of  veneration  and  regard  among  his  breth- 
ren in  Christ.  It  is  due  to  him,  and  the  cause  he  advocated, 
to  preserve  a  memorial  of  his  character,  sufferings,  and  toils. 
As  far  as  he  followed  his  Master,  others  may  be  stimulated,  by 
his  example,  to  do  good,  and  glorify  God.  Such  records  may 
not  only  prove  an  incentive  to  practical  holiness,  but  teach  many 
valuable  lessons,  concerning  the  divine  government,  both  in 
providence  and  redemption.  In  the  history  of  the  church,  the 
arm  of  the  Lord  is  revealed;  we  behold  its  power  in  defending 
those  who  put  their  trust  in  him.  Though  the  wicked  may 
rage,  taking  counsel  together  against  the  Lord  and  his 
anointed,  yet  we  see  their  purposes  frustrated,  and  all  their 
plans  overturned.  He,  who  sitteth  in  the  heavens,  laughs  at 
them;  the  Lord  holds  them  in  derision, 


"WILLIAM    FRISTOE.  67 

William  Fristoe  was  a  native  of  Stafford  county,  Va.  By 
one  of  his  surviving,  and  most  intimate  friends,  he  is  said  to 
have  been  born  in  the  year  1742.  His  parents  were  respect- 
able, but  in  moderate  circumstances.  His  education  was  lim- 
ited, he  being,  when  grown,  only  able  to  read  and  write.  He 
grew  up  without  the  opportunity  of  hearing  the  gospel,  as  it 
was  seldom,  if  ever,  in  its  purity,  preached  in  his  native  county. 
His  parents  belonged  to  the  established  church,  though  they 
do  not  seem  to  have  been  pious  persons.  He  has  said,  that 
when  five  years  old,  he  was  sensible  that  be  was  a  sinner 
against  God;  and  his  greatest  concern  was,  how  he  should 
obtain  forgiveness,  and  meet  with  acceptance.  In  his  14th  or 
15th  year,  he  was  watching  with  a  sick  and  dying  man,  in 
company  with  one  who  was  raised  a  Scotch  Presbyterian.  In 
the  course  of  the  night,  this  person,  having  allusion  to  the  sick 
man,  cried  out,  "God  be  merciful  to  him,  for  Christ's  sake." 
Elder  Fristoe  was  sensibly  struck  with  the  expression,  as  beinw 
something  which  he  had  never  heard  before  mentioned;  and 
the  constant  inquiry  with  him,  from  that  time,  was,  how  God 
could,  consistently  with  his  justice  and  the  purify  of  his  nature, 
have  mercy  on  a  sinner  for  the  sake  of,  or  on  account  of 
another?  He  continued  in  this  distressed  situation,  until  he 
hoard  the  gospel  preached  by  what  was  called  the  New  Lights, 
when  his  mind  became  relieved  and  happy  in  Christ  Jesus. 
Not  long  after,  he  made  an  open  profession,  and  was  baptized 
by  Elder  David  Thomas,  who  had  been  instrumental  in  raising 
up  and  constituting  Chapawamsick  church.  This  took  place 
when  he  was  about  20  or  21  years  of  age.  The  church  soon 
discovered  that  he  possessed  promising  gifts,  and  requested 
bim  to  preach.  The  performance  was  so  pleasing  to  the 
brethren,  that  it  was  not  very  long  before  he  was  ordained,  and 
obtained  a  license  from  the  then  legal  authority,  the  Episcopal 
Bishop,  and  was  called  to  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church. 

In  his  19th  year,  he  entered  upon  this,  responsible  work, 
with  a  zeal  and  perseverance  becoming  its  vast  importance. 
Having  felt  the  value  of  atoning  blood,  he  every  where  made 


68  BIOGRAPHY   OF 

known  its  efficacy,  and  recommended  it  to  the  guilty.  The 
Lord  was  with  him,  giving  seals  to  his  ministry.  In  conjunc- 
tion with  two  or  three  other  laborers,  he  was  the  honored 
means  of  leading  into  the  church,  with  which  he  was  united,  a 
large  number  of  believers.  But  he  did  not  confine  his  ministry 
to  this  part  of  the  Lord's  vineyard.  He  travelled  extensively 
and  was  instrumental  in  forming  several  new  churches.  Some 
of  these  were  regularly  attended  by  him,  though  at  great  in- 
convenience  to  himself.  He  was  in  the  habit,  with  his  brother 
Elder  Daniel  Fristoe,  of  attending,  every  month,  the  Buck- 
marsh  church,  Frederick  county,  a  distance  of  seventy  miles 
from  his  own  residence.  He  also  regularly  visited  a  church  in 
Fauquier,  called  Thumb  run,  about  forty  miles  distant.  In 
referring  to  these  heavy  labors,  he  remarks,  "neither  winter's 
frost,  nor  summer's  heat  is  to  be  dreaded,  the  frowns  of  men, 
and  rage  of  devils  must  be  borne,  when  the  object  is  the  win- 
ning a  bride  for,  and  the  espousing  of  souls  to  Christ." 

Beside  travelling  extensively,  Elder  Fristoe,  at  different 
times,  supplied  several  churches  regularly,  among  others, 
Chapawamsick,  Brentown,  Hartwood,  Grove,  and  Rockhill. 
In  January,  1787,  he  took  charge  of  Broad  run  church,  Fau- 
quier counly.  When  he  removed  to  the  county  of  Shenan- 
doah, he  resigned  them  all,  excepting  Broad  run,  which  he 
attended  until  the  year  before  his  death.  After  his  settlement 
in  Shenandoah,  he  took  charge  of  Ebenezer,  Buckmarsh, 
Bethel,  Zion,  and  Salem,  in  their  destitution,  and  gave  them 
up  one  after  another,  as  soon  as  pastors  could  be  obtained. 
To  the  end  of  life,  he  was  animated  by  the  noble  resolution  to 
spread  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  even  amid  contempt  and 
persecution.  Although  he  was  poor,  and  had  an  expensive 
family  dependent  on  him  for  support,  lie  still  gave  himself  to 
this  great  work.  He  has  been  known,  on  returning  from  a 
tour  of  preaching,  to  work  for  several  days  and  most  of  the 
night,  by  fire-light,  in  mauling  rails,  preparing  his  ground  for 
receiving  the  crop. 

The  church  called    Chapawamsick,  in  Stafford,  with   which 


WILLIAM    FRISTOE.  69 

Elder  Fristoe  first  connected  himself,  was  one  of  the  oldest  of 
the  Ketockton  Association.  In  reference  to  the  additions  this 
church  received,  and  their  subsequent  history,  Mr.  Semple 
thus  speaks:  "So  rapidly  did  the  word  increase  among  them, 
that  in  1770,  three  years  after  their  constitution,  they  had  one 
hundred  and  seventy-six  members.  And  the  following  year, 
after  dismissing  thirty-six  members,  to  form  the  Potomac 
church,  they  had  remaining  two  hundred  and  twelve.  The  next 
year,  dismissing  ninety-seven  at  once,  to  form  Brentown 
church,  they  were  reduced  to  one  hundred  and  sixteen.  From 
this  period,  Chapawamsick  gradually  declined  for  many  years. 
William  Fristoe  had  fallen  into  Potomac,  and  Daniel  into 
Brentown,  so  that  the  mother  church  was  rather  destitute. 
About  1786,  William  Fristoe  returned,  and  continued  among 
them  for  many  years.  In  the  great  revival,  about  1791  and 
1792,  this  church  arose  from  the  dust,  and  put  on  her  gar- 
ments of  praise.  Her  number,  from  being  very  small,  in- 
creased to  nearly  a  hundred." 

The  Ketockton  Association,  was  the  first  formed  in  Virginia. 
The  following  incident,  referred  to  by  Mr.  Fristoe,  and,  after 
his  death,  narrated  by  a  Christian  brother,  will  illustrate  the 
humble  piety  and  fervent  zeal  of  those  times.  The  narrator 
states: 

"In  the  year  1766,  when  the  first  association  in  Virginia 
was  organized,  among  the  persons  assembled  on  the  occasion, 
were  the  Fristoes,  Daniel  and  William,  who  afterwards  made 
so  distinguished  a  figure  in  the  history  of  the  Virginia  Bap- 
tists, and  who  were  at  that  time  young  disciples.  William 
Fristoe,  who  entered  into  his  rest  but  a  few  months  ago,  re- 
lated an  anecdote  that  illustrates  the  spirit  of  those  times. 
The  meeting  above  mentioned,  was  held  at  Ketockton  meeting- 
house, Loudoun  county,  about  60  miles  from  Chapawamsick, 
the  residence  of  the  Fristoes.  Notwithstanding  this  distance, 
they  remained  at  the  meeting  until  the  afternoon  of  the  day 
preceding  that  on  which  they  judged  it  necessary  for  them  to 
be  at  home.  To  reconcile  the  claims  of  business  with  those 
7 


70  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

of  religion,  they  resolved  to  travel  the  whole  of  the  intervening 
night;  and,  accordingly,  a  company  of  them  set  out,  cheering 
the  darkness  and  wearisomeness  of  the  way  with  animated  talk 
of  the  love  of  Jesus.  About  the  middle  of  the  night,  when 
they  were  also  near  the  middle  of  their  journey,  one  of  their 
number,  older  than  the  rest,  was  about  to  be  parted  from 
them,  because  his  home  lay  in  a  different  direction.  At  his 
proposal,  they  alighted  from  their  horses,  and  having  tied  them 
to  the  boughs  of  the  trees,  they  gathered  into  a  group  in  the 
midst  of  the  spreading  forest:  and  kneeling  upon  the  ground, 
they  poured  forth  the  overflowings  of  their  hearts,  in  devout 
prayer  to  Him  who  saw  and  heard  amidst  the  shades  of  night 
and  the  solitude  of  the  wood.  When  at  the  call  of  the  aged 
disciple,  they  had  all  prayed  in  succession,  he  arose  and  laid 
his  hands  upon  their  head,  encouraged  them,  gave  them  his 
parting  blessing,  and  bade  them  press  on  in  the  ways  of  the 
Lord.  Having  received  his  benediction,  the  young  disciples 
pursued  their  journey,  and  reached  their  homes  just  as  the 
sun  had  commenced  his  way  through  the  sky." 

The  subject  of  this  memoir,  soon  after  his  ordination,  occu- 
pied an  extensive  influence  among  the  churches.  Elder  Sem- 
ple  states,  that  some  of  the  most  eminent  preachers  in  Virginia 
owned  him  as  their  spiritual  father.  Lunsford,  Mason,  and 
Hickerson,  with  several  others,  received  the  tidings  of  peace 
from  his  lips.  It  was  thus  natural  that  he  should  enjoy  the 
affections  of  many.  But  the  high  stand  which  he  occupied  in 
an  early  period  of  his  ministerial  career,  was  principally  gained 
by  his  intelligence  and  discretion.  For  his  prudence,  he  was 
remarkable.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Ketockton  Association,  in 
1774,  when  a  number  of  senior  ministers  were  present,  and 
he  only  in  the  26th  year  of  his  age,  he  was  elected  to  preside 
over  their  deliberations.  The  chair  was  most  generally  occu- 
pied by  him,  especially  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life. 

Some  allusion  has  been  made  to  his  success  in  winning  souls 
to  Christ  in  the  early  part  of  his  ministry.  It  may  be  re- 
marked, that  nature  had   furnished   him  with   powers   to  com- 


WILLIAM    FRISTOE.  71 

mand  attention  as  a  speaker.  "In  the  pulpit,"  says  Mr.  Sem- 
ple,  "though  not  versed  in  the  learning  of  the  schools,  he  dis- 
played abilities  which  many  doctors  of  divinity  have  not  at- 
tained. His  language,  though  plain,  was  strong  and  nervous. 
His  manner  was  solemn,  as  one  having  authority."  His  talents 
and  addresses  were  highly  polemical,  and  at  times,  there  was 
an  apparent  severity  in  his  allusions  to  the  sentiments  of  others. 
As  a  disputant,  he  was  able — iew  being  qualified  to  compete 
with  him  in  argument.  His  religious  views  were  strongly  Cal- 
viuistic.  There  was  probably  too  much  disposition  in  all  his 
discourses,  to  dwell  on  what  are  called  the  higher  doctrines  of 
the  gospel.  Human  nature  is  prone  to  extremes.  While  good 
works  are  essential  as  evidences  of  Christian  character,  it  is 
possible  they  may  be  allowed  to  occupy  an  improper  place  in 
the  system  of  religious  truth;  men  may  place  an  undue  reli- 
ance on  them,  and  thus  fail  to  give  God  all  the  glory  of  their 
salvation.  Or,  not  attributing  any  merit  to  their  own  works, 
they  may  fail  sufficiently  to  hold  up  Christ,  and  him  crucified, 
as  the  way  to  heaven.  Practical  religion  is  often  urged  by 
the  preacher  without  due  reference  to  doctrinal  truth.  And 
so  with  regard  to  the  opposite  extreme.  God's  eternal  and 
discriminating  love  is  clearly  revealed  in  the  Bible,  and  consti- 
tutes one  of  its  most  precious  doctrines.  Salvation  is  of  grace. 
From  first  to  last,  in  the  great  scheme  of  redemption,  God 
alone  is  entitled  to  praise.  But  the  grace  of  God  may  be 
turned  into  licentiousness.  And  even  among  godly  men,  who 
would  spurn  the  idea  of  encouraging  laxity  of  morals,  there  is 
danger  of  harping  too  much  on  doctrinal  sentiments.  An 
undue  prominence  may  be  given  to  a  few  truths,  to  the  compa- 
rative neglect  of  others,  equally  important.  This,  there  is 
reason  to  believe,  was  a  defect  in  the  preaching  of  Elder  Fris- 
toe.  Notwithstanding,  he  was  an  able  minister  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament. Though,  with  characteristic  tenacity,  he  clung  to  the 
glorious  doctrine  of  divine  sovereignty,  and  its  kindred  truths, 
so  as  to  render  him  somewhat  suspicious  of  those  who  did  not 


72  BIOGRAPHY   OF 

reach  his  standard  of  sentiment,  he  was  nevertheless,  a  valua- 
ble and  useful  laborer  in  the  Lord's  vineyard. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  not  a  man  of  education.  He 
did  not,  however,  despise  it.  "Learning,"  said  he,  "is  highly 
esteemed  among  the  Baptists,  and  many  who  have  been  called 
to,  and  exercised  public  offices,  have  very  sensibly  felt  the  in- 
convenience they  had  to  labor  under  for  the  want  of  it.  But 
it  is  not  considered  essentially  necessary  to  a  gospel  minister- 
Where  the  Author  of  nature  has  endued  a  person  with  strong 
intellect,  capable  of  taking  in  high  and  sublime  ideas,  and  pry- 
ing into  mysterious  and  intricate  subjects,  and  given  him  to 
know  his  dear  Son,  whom  to  know  is  life  eternal,  the  ministry 
may  be  entered  even  without  learning.  For  a  person  of  this 
description,  forever  to  remain  in  silence,  merely  for  the  want 
of  education,  would  be  like  a  beautiful  flower  blooming  in  a 
desert,  unnoticed  by  few,  and  enjoyed  by  none." 

Though  Elder  F.  had  not  the  advantage  of  an  improved 
mind,  he  endeavored,  by  reading,  as  much  as  possible,  to  make 
up  this  deficiency.  A  reference  to  this  subject  is  made  by 
Elder  Cumberland  George  in  the  following  interesting  fact: 
"In  relation  to  the  early  advantages  of  Elder  Fristoe,  says 
Mr.  George,  I  will  relate  one  particular,  which  I  obtained 
from  his  own  lips.  A  certain  Mr.  Morson,  of  Falmouth,  Staf- 
ford county,  becoming  acquainted  with  Elder  Fristoe,  was 
strongly  attached  to  him,  and  being  a  gentleman  of  considera- 
ble wealth,  invited  him  to  remove  to  a  farm  some  kxv  miles 
above  Falmouth,  where  there  were  not  only  comfortable  build- 
ings, but  furniture  and  provisions  for  the  use  and  comfort  of 
his  family,  together  with  an  extensive  and  valuable  library,  to 
which  unrestricted  admission  was  given  him.  Here  Mr. 
Fristoe  remained  for  nearly  two  years,  and  through  the  kind- 
ness of  his  friend,  was  enabled  to  give  himself  almost  entirely 
to  reading  and  to  the  ministry  of  the  word.  Mr.  Fristoe  al- 
ways regarded  this  a  signal  interposition  of  the  hand  of  God 
in  his  favor.  Nor  was  he  idle,  while  God's  providence  seemed 
to  say,  "Work."     Those  two  years  of  devotion   to  study  ena- 


WILLIAM    FRISTOE.  *73 

bled  him  to  acquire  such  a  stock  of  knowledge,  as  essentially 
to  assist  him  in  his  ministry  through  life. 

Mr.  Fristoe  was  in  the  habit  of  devoting  much  time  to  the 
perusal  of  the  sacred  scriptures.  To  the  law  and  testimony, 
he  professed  to  look  for  authority  in  religious  faith  and  prac- 
tice. A  few  remarks  on  the  subject  of  baptism,  from  his  pen- 
will  show  how  far  he  considered  the  neglect  of  this  duty  sinful, 
as  also  his  views  on  the  impropriety  of  admitting  infants  to 
the  ordinance.  "It  is  readily  granted,  Paul's  epistles  were  ad- 
dressed to  the  churches,  and  not  to  the  world;  and  it  will  not 
be  denied  by  us,  that  there  were  parents  and  children  both 
members  in  the  churches,  but  they  were  such  children  as  could 
read  Paul's  address  to  them,  or  hear  it  read;  could  understand 
the  contents  of  those  epistles,  and  form  their  conduct  accord- 
ing to  the  instructions  given  therein,  and  of  course  capable  of 
believing  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  acting  worthy  as  members  of 
the  church,  to  the  duties  enjoined  on  them  in  these  epistles. 
It  is  well  known  the  obligation  children  are  under  towards  a 
parent  is  never  removed;  had  these  been  of  the  infant  tribe, 
they  would  not  have  had  understanding  sufficient  to  obey  their 
parents,  and  therefore  can  have  no  allusion  to  them." 

"The  jailor  and  his  household,  Lydia  and  her  household, 
have  been  often  brought  with  the  assurance,  that  the  Baptists 
would  agree  there  were  infants  among  them,  and  that  inas- 
much as  the  household  was  baptized,  it  furnishes  a  presumptive 
proof  at  least,  in  favor  of  infant  baptism, — to  which  we  answer: 

"As  to  the  jailor,  we  have  a  plain  statement,  that  he  be- 
lieved in  God  with  all  his  house;  rejoiced  in  God  with  all  his 
house;  and  he  and  all  his  were  baptized  straightway;  so,  then 
from  the  accounts  given,  they  were  all,  of  understanding,  to 
receive  the  word  delivered  by  the  apostles,  all  capacitated  to 
act  faith  in  Christ,  all  rejoiced,  having  a  saving  knowledge  of 
God;  and  all  submitted  to  the  sacred  ordinance  of  baptism. 
As  for  Lydia,  we  have  no  account  that  she  had  husband  or 
children,  the  account  is,  that  she  worshipped  God — that  she 
heard  Paul  preach,  that   her  heart  was  opened,  and  she  and 


74  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

her  household  were  baptized;  the  natural  inference  is,  that  she 
had  servants,  or  assistants,  in  carrying  on  her  trade,  and  that 
they  believed,  and  were  baptized. 

"As  we  cannot,  consistently  with  the  scriptures,  admit  any 
to  church  communion  without  being  baptized  on  the  profession 
of  their  faith,  we  are  often  asked,  if  we  think  there  are  not 
Christians  among  other  denominations  as  well  as  among  the 
Baptists;  and  if  so,  it  is  very  wrong  to  disown  or  reject  such. 
We  have  never  called  in  question,  that  there  are  Christians  in 
other  sects;  it  is  not  their  Christianity  we  scrutinize,  but  the 
support  of  the  institutions  of  the  gospel  in  their  purity.  Those 
of  our  neighbors,  who  are  privy  to  our  conduct,  know  full  well 
we  purchase  books,  written  by  eminent  and  spiritual  divines, 
belonging  to  other  denominations.  But,  provided  a  person, 
possessed  with  grace,  should  be  guilty  of  a  wrong  course,  does 
grace  in  his  heart  make  his  conduct  right?  By  no  means! 
For,  could  that  be  supported,  there  would  never  be  a  wrong 
done  by  a  Christian.  Suppose  a  gracious  man  was  seduced 
and  led  away  to  worship  an  idol,  could  that  worship  be  accept- 
able to  God,  because  he  professed  grace?  By  no  means!  It 
is  so  far  from  lessening  the  crime,  or  making  it  no  crime,  that 
it  is  greatly  heightened  and  aggravated;  so,  when  persons  are 
enlightened  from  above,  and  enjoy  the  teaching  of  the  spirit 
of  grace,  and  then  live  in  the  wilful  neglect  of  a  known  duty, 
it  is  dishonorable  to  God,  and  unbecoming   their   high  calling. 

"We  are  acquainted  with  none  of  the  Pedobaptists,  but 
what  acknowledge,  that  in  the  apostolic  day,  baptism  was  by 
immersion,  and  the  subjects  were  believers;  but  while  that  is 
allowed  by  them,  it  is  thought  unreasonable  the  Baptists  should 
not  be  equally  liberal,  in  allowing  the  sprinkling  of  infants  to 
be  right  likewise.  Here  our  suit  has  been  long,  and  continues 
still  at  issue.  It  is  out  of  the  question  for  both  to  be  right, 
because  there  is  but  one  rule  laid  down  in  holy  writ  for  Christ's 
followers,  as  it  respects  baptism;  and  that  is,  'He  that  believeth, 
and  is  baptized' — 'Repent  and  be  baptized' — 'If  thou  belie  vest 
with  all  thy  heart   thou  mayest'  be   baptized.     And  'they  be- 


WILLIAM    FRISTOE.  75 

lieved  and  were  baptized,'  and  'who  can  forbid  water,  that 
these  should  not  be  baptized.'  This  appears  to  be  the  uniform 
language  of  the  New  Testament,  being  consistent  with  the 
command  of  the  great  Lawgiver. 

"When  we  make  search  for  infant  sprinkling,  and  open  our 
ears  to  hear  what  the  scripture  reports,  a  dead  silence  takes 
place,  and  we  go  off  without  any  information  about  it.  We  read 
of  a  prostitute  church  in  the  revelation  of  John  the  divine,  a 
church  which  had  departed  from  the  true  worship  of  God,  and 
addicted  herself  to  superstitious,  idolatrous  worship.  What 
says  the  voice  of  God  in  this  case?  'Come  out  of  her,  my 
people,  and  be  not  partaker  of  her  crimes,  that  ye  perish  not 
in  her  plagues.'  From  this,  it  appears,  that  God  had  a  people 
in  that  corrupt,  apostate  church,  but  it  was  no  reason,  because 
they  had  grace,  that  they  should  stay  there,  but  quite  the 
reverse. 

"From  all  that  has  been  said,  we  see  no  cause  for  retrac- 
tion, or  a  change  of  our  custom;  we  feel  it  obligatory  on  us  to 
contend  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints,  and  maintain 
the  ordinances  in  their  purity,  as  delivered  by  Christ  and  his 
apostles.  Viewing  it  as  a  dreadful  sin  to  change  God's  ordi- 
nances, being  forewarned  to  touch  not,  handle  not,  which  all 
are  to  perish  with  the  using,  after  the  commandments  and 
doctrines  of  men;  our  Lord  informs  us,  he  that  breaks  the  least 
of  his  commands,  and  teaches  men  so  to  do,  shall  be  called  least 
in  the  kingdom  of  God." 

An  aged  brother  now  living,  and  who  was  familiar  with  his 
opinions  and  habits  for  many  years,  states,  that  "he  promoted 
collections  at  different  associations  for  foreign  and  domestic 
missions."  It  was  doubtless  his  desire,  that  the  gospel  of  the 
kingdom  should  be  preached  to  all  nations,  and  he  was  too  well 
acquainted  with  the  word  of  God  not  to  know  that  the  designs 
of  infinite  mercy  were  to  be  etlected  through  the  instrumentality 
of  means.  He  well  knew  that  while  all  success  is  from  God, 
and  that  to  him  all  the  glory  will  be  due,  there  is  much  for  the 
church  to  do  us  instruments  in  the  glorious  work  of  evangeliz- 


76  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

ing  the  nations.  It  is  strange  that  any  brethren  should  object 
to  the  operations  or  designs  of  missionary  and  other  benevolent 
associations.  But  this  hostility  is  every  day  becoming  less 
inveterate.     For  this  the  Lord  be  praised. 

Concerning  the  deportment  of  Elder  Fristoe,  it  may  be  said, 
he  had  a  good  report  of  those  who  are  without.  His  life  gave 
practical  evidence  that  he  loved  holiness,  and  desired  to  pro- 
mote the  divine  glory.  He  was  an  example  to  the  believers, 
and  thus  adorned  the  doctrine  of  God  his  Saviour. 

In  the  year  1809,  he  published  a  work,  of  which  he  was  the 
author,  entitled  "The  History  of  the  Ketockton  Baptist  Asso- 
ciation.'' For  any  inaccuracies  of  style,  he  thus  apologises  to 
the  reader,  in  his  preface:  "Should  defects  appear  in  the  follow- 
ing work,  it  need  not  be  wondered  at,  for  the  author  is  no 
scholar,  nor  affects  learning,  and  in  the  course  of  his  life  never 
made  any  notes,  nor  kept  any  journal,  neither  has  he  been  sup- 
plied from  any  other  hand,  only  the  little  aid  from  our  associa- 
tional  record.  The  production  has  been  principally  written 
from  recollection,  and  the  little  strength  of  his  own  judgment.'' 

This  work  is  not  altogether  confined  to  the  Ketockton  Asso- 
ciation. It  refers  to  the  history  of  the  Baptist  denomination, 
throughout  Virginia;  especially  to  the  persecutions  they  suffer- 
ed, and  the  sentiments  for  which  they  were  distinguished. 
Many  interesting  facts  are  recorded. 

Mr.  Fristoe  lived  to  see  a  good  old  age.  He  died  after  a 
short  illness,  at  his  own  residence,  in  Shenandoah  county,  on 
the  14th  of  August,  1828.  having  reached  his  *6th  year.  He 
had  been  for  more  than  sixty  years,  a  defender  of  the  truth, 
and  one  of  the  pillars  of  the  church,  in  the  upper  country.  In 
giving  notice  of  his  death,  a  brother  observes,  "he  was,  perhaps, 
excelled  by  no  man  in  the  state  in  point  of  biblical  knowledge, 
and  for  his  pious  walk,  and  unblemished  character;  but  his 
character  and  standing  were  so  well  known,  in  this  and  the 
adjoining  states,  that  any  remarks  from  me  upon  this  subject, 
would  seem  to  bo  unnecessary.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  truly  a 
great  man  has  fallen  in  Israel.'' 


JOHN    WALLER.  77 


JOHN    WALLER.* 


John  Waller  was  born  December  23d,  1741,  in  Spotsyl- 
vania county,  and  was  a  descendant  of  the  honorable  family  of 
Wallers,  in  England.  At  a  very  early  period,  he  manifested  a 
great  talent  for  satire.  This  determined  his  uncle,  who  was 
his  guardian,  to  educate  him  for  the  law.  He  was  put  to  a 
grammar  school,  and  made  encouraging  advancement  in  the  dead 
languages.  His  uncle's  death,  and  his  father's  narrow  resour- 
ces, added  to  his  own  unbridled  inclinations  to  vice,  prevented 
him  from  finishing  even  his  classical  education.  He  now  began 
indeed  to  study,  not  the  laws  of  the  land,  but  those  of  the  gam- 
ing table.  Giving  loose  to  every  species  of  wickedness  and 
profanity,  he  quickly  acquired  for  himself  the  infamous  appella- 
tion of  Swearing  Jack  Waller,  by  which  he  was  distinguished 
from  others  of  the  same  name.  So  far  did  he  indulge  his  mis- 
chievous temper,  that  he  once  had  three  warrants  served  on 
him  at  the  same  time,  on  account  of  one  uproar.  It  was  fre- 
quently remarked  by  the  common  people,  "that  there  could  be 
no  deviltry  among  the  people,  unless  Swearing  Jack  was  at  the 
head  of  it.''  He  was  sometimes  called  the  Devil's  Adjutant 
to  muster  his  troops.  To  these  may  be  added,  his  fury  against 
the  Baptists.  He  was  one  of  the  grand  jury  who  presented  L. 
Craig  for  preaching.  This  happily  terminated  in  his  good. 
Mr.  Craig,  in  order  to  turn  their  mischievous  intentions  into 
something  beneficial,  watched  the  dismission  of  the  jury,  and 
having  gained  their  attention,  thus  addressed  them,  "I  thank 
you,  gentlemen  of  the  grand  jury,  for  the  honor  you  have  done 
me.  While  1  was  wicked  and  injurious,  you  took  no  notice  of 
me,  but  since  I  have  altered  my  course  of  life,  and  endeavored 
to  reform  my  neighbors,  you  concern  yourselves  much  about 
me.  I  shall  take  the  spoiling  of  my  goods  joyfully.''  When 
Mr.  W.  heard  him  speak  in  that  manner,  and  observed  the 
*  By  Elder  Semple,  with  additions. 


78  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

meekness  of  his  spirit,  he  was  convinced  that  Craig  was  pos- 
sessed of  something  that  he  had  never  seen  in  man  before.  He 
thought,  within  himself,  that  he  should  be  happy,  if  he  could 
be  of  the  same  religion  with  Mr.  Craig.  From  this  time  he  be- 
gan to  attend  their  meetings,  and  was  found  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 
The  commandment  came,  and  he  died.  He  saw  and  felt  him- 
self a  sinner.  He  now,  for  the  first  time,  except  in  blasphem- 
ing, began  to  cull  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord.  His  convictions 
were  deep  and  pungent.  He  ate  no  pleasant  bread,  and  drank 
no  pleasant  water,  for  seven  or  eight  months.  He  was  almost 
in  despair.     He  relates  his  exercises  in  the  following  words: 

"I  had  long  felt  the  greatest  abhorrence  of  myself,  and  began 
almost  to  despair  of  the  mercy  of  God.  However,  I  determin- 
ed never  to  rest,  until  it  pleased  God  to  show  mercy,  or  cut  me 
off.  Under  these  impressions,  1  was  at  a  certain  place,  sitting 
under  preaching.  On  a  sudden,  a  man  exclaimed,  that  he  had 
found  mercy,  and  began  to  praise  God.  No  mortal  can  des- 
cribe the  horror  with  which  I  was  seized  at  that  instant.  I  be- 
gan to  conclude  my  damnation  was  certain.  Leaving  the  meet- 
ing, T  hastened  into  a  neighboring  wood,  and  dropped  on  my 
knees  before  God,  to  beg  for  mercy.  In  an  instant,  I  felt  my 
heart  melt,  and  a  sweet  application  of  the  Redeemer's  love,  to 
my  poor  soul.     The  calm  was  great,  but  short." 

From  this  time,  he  felt  some  increase  of  strength,  yet  at 
sometimes,  the  enemy  broke  in  upon  him  like  a  flood,  and 
he  would  be  almost  ready  to  give  up  his  hope.  But  the 
application  of  these  words  gave  him  great  comfort:  "Who  is 
among  you  that  feareth  the  Lord;  that  walketh  in  darkness 
and  hath  no  light;  let  him  trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and 
stay  upon  his  God.''  Isaiah  1,  10.  And  again:  "By  this  we 
know  that  we  have  passed  from  death  unto  life,  because  we 
love  the  brethren.'' 

By  the  time  Messrs.  Harriss  and  Read  came  on  their  next 
tour,  he  felt  sufficiently  confident  to  become  a  candidate  for 
baptism,  and  going  up  into  Orange  county,  was  there  baptized 
by  Mr.  Read,  in  the  year  1767.     Baptism  was  to  him,  as  it 


JOHN    WALLER.  79 

has  been  to  thousands,  a  sanctified  ordinance.  His  soul  received 
great  accession  of  strength  and  comfort.  Having  contracted 
debts  by  dissipation,  he  sold  property  to  pay  them.  He  con- 
ferred not  with  flesh  and  blood,  but  began  to  preach  that  men 
ought  every  where  to  repent.  It  was  not  long  hefore  his  labors 
became  effectual,  at  least  in  one  way.  That  arch  enemy  of 
souls,  whom  he  had  served  so  faithfully  before,  now  began  to 
rage,  and  succeeded  in  raising  a  powerful  opposition. 

At  length  it  was  thought  proper  to  constitute  a  church  in 
Mr.  Waller's  neighborhood.  He  was  ordained  their  pastor, 
June  20th,  1770.  He  now  began  to  extend  his  labors.  Bend- 
ing his  course  to  lower  Virginia,  he  baptized  Rev.  William 
Webber,  being  the  first  he  did  baptize.  Accompanied  by  J. 
Burrus,  he  travelled  as  far  as  Middlesex,  and  wherever  he 
went,  he  was  attended  by  a  divine  power,  turning  many  to 
righteousness.  His  name  sounded  far  and  wide.  By  the 
ungodly,  he  was  considered  as  a  bold,  inexorable  fanatic,  that 
would  do  much  mischief,  unless  restrained.  The  Baptists,  and 
their  adherents,  looked  upon  him  as  set  for  the  defence  of  their 
cause,  and  with  much  confidence,  rallied  around  him  as  their 
leader.  His  persecutions  in  several  counties,  were  of  the  most 
painful  character.  The  following  letter,  written  by  him,  during 
an  imprisonment  of  forty-six  days,  in  the  county  of  Middlesex, 
will  exhibit  something  of  the  severe  trials,  to  which  he  and  his 
associates  were  subjected,  in  making  known  the  truth,  as  it  is 
in  Jesus.     It  is  dated 

Urbanna  Prison,  Middlesex  county,  August  12,  1771. 
Dear  Brother  in  the  Lord, 

At  a  meeting  which  was  held  at  brother  McCain's,  in  this 
county,  last  Saturday,  whilst  brother  William  Webber  was 
addressing  the  congregation,  from  James  ii,  18,  there  came 
running  towards  him,  in  a  most  furious  rage,  Captain  James 
Montague,  a  magistrate  of  the  county,  followed  by  the  parson 
of  the  parish,  and  several  others,  who  seemed  greatly  exaspe- 
rated. The  magistrate,  and  another,  took  hold  of  brother 
Webber,  and  dragging  him  from  the  stage,  delivered  him,  with 


80  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

brethren  Warlord,  Robert  Ware,  Richard  Falkner,  James 
Greenwood,  and  myself,  into  custody,  and  commanded  that  we 
should  be  brought  before  him  for  trial.  Brother  Wafford  was 
severely  scourged,  and  brother  Henry  Street  received  one  lash, 
from  one  of  the  persecutors,  who  was  prevented  from  pro- 
ceeding to  farther  violence  by  his  companions;  to  be  short, 
I  may  inform  you  that  we  were  carried  before  the  above 
mentioned  magistrate,  who,  with  the  parson  and  some  others, 
carried  us,  one  by  one,  into  a  room,  and  examined  our  pocket9 
and  wallets  for  fire-arms,  &c.  charging  us  with  carrying  on  a 
mutiny  against  the  authority  of  toe  land.  Finding  none,  we 
were  asked  if  we  had  license  to  preach  in  this  county,  and, 
learning  we  had  not,  it  was  required  of  us  to  give  bond 
and  security  not  to  preach  any  more  in  the  county,  which  we 
modestly  refused  to  do,  whereupon,  after  dismissing  brother 
Wafford,  with  a  charge  to  make  his  escape  out  of  the  county 
by  twelve  o'clock  the  next  day,  on  pain  of  imprisonment,  and 
dismissing  brother  Falkner,  the  rest  of  us  were  delivered  to  the 
sheriff,  and  sent  to  close  jail,  with  a  charge  not  to  allow  us  to 
walk  in  the  air  until  court  day.  Blessed  be  God,  the  sheriff 
and  jailor  have  treated  us  with  as  much  kindness  as  could 
have  been  expected  from  strangers.  May  the  Lord  reward 
them  for  it.  Yesterday  we  had  a  large  number  of  people  to 
hear  us  preach;  and,  among  others,  many  of  the  great  ones  of 
the  land,  who  behaved  well,  while  one  of  us  discoursed  on  the 
new  birth.  We  find  the  Lord  gracious  and  kind  to  us  beyond 
expression,  in  our  afflictions.  We  cannot  tell  how  long  we 
shall  be  kept  in  bonds,  we  therefore  beseech,  dear  brother,  that 
you  and  the  church  supplicate  night  and  day  for  us,  our  bene- 
factors, and  our  persecutors. 

I  have  also  to  inform  you  that  six  of  our  brethren  are  con- 
fined in  Caroline  jail,  viz.  brethren  Lewis  Craig,  John  Burrus, 
John  Young,  Edward  Herndon,  James  Goodrick,  and  Bartho- 
lomew Cheming.  The  most  dreadful  threatenings  are  raised 
in  the  neighboring  counties  against  the  Lord's  faithful  and 
humble  followers.     Excuse  haste.     Adieu. 

JOHN   WALLER. 


JOHN    WALLER.  81 

In  this  bright  and  burning  way,  Waller  continued  until  1775 
or  1776;  when  he  formed  an  acquaintance  with  one  Williams, 
a  preacher  of  some  talents,  apparent  piety,  and  in  Mr.  Wesley's 
connexion,  consequently  an  Arminian:  this  man,  by  his  conver- 
sation and  books,  so  wrought  upon  Mr.  Waller's   mind,  as   to 
bring  him  over  to  believe  the  Arminian  system.     Knowing  this 
to  be  contrary  to  the  opinions  of  his  brethren,    he  resolved  to 
make  a  bold  effort  to  preach  and  argue  his  principles  at  the  next 
association;  and  thereby  convince  his  brethren;  or   failing   in 
this,  to  submit  to  be  cut  off  from  them.     Accordingly,  he  took 
his  text,  1  Cor.  xiii,  11.    In  his  exordium,  he  stated,  that  when 
young  and  inexperienced  in  religion,  he  had  fallen  in  with  the 
Calvinistic  plan;  but  that  becoming  more  expert  in  doctrine,  or 
in  the  language   of  his  text,   when  he   became  a  man,   he  put 
away  these  childish  notions.     He  then  went  lengthily  into  the 
argument.     For  want  of  truth,  or  talents,  he  made  few,  if  any 
converts  to  his  opinions;  and  of  course,  had  to  confront  the 
whole  host  of  preachers  and  members  now  assembled.       Mr. 
Waller,  foreseeing  his  fate,  took  the  shorter  and  more  reputable 
course.     Instead  of  awaiting  a  fair  trial,  he  proclaimed  himself 
an  independent  Baptist  preacher.     This  step  was  probably  re- 
sorted to  by  Waller,   under  an  expectation  that  his  popularity 
was  so  great,  that  he  should  be  able  to  bring  over  many  of  the 
churches  to  his  party.     Be  this  as  it  may,  he  immediately  com- 
menced his   operations  on  an  extensive  plan.       On  his  return 
from  the    association,  he   used   his  utmost  endeavor  to  form  a 
strong  party.     He  preached  from  house  to  house,  over  a  large 
field  of  ministerial   labor;  ordained   lay  elders  in  every  neigh- 
borhood, to  prevent  inroads;  and  also  several  helps  in  the  min- 
istry.      He  also  established  what  he  called  camp-meetings;  in 
which,    they  continued   together  several   days,  under  certain 
written  regulations. 

The  novelty  of  these  meetings,  excited   the  attention  of  the 

people  in  such  a  manner,  that  great  multitudes  crowded  after 

him.     By  these  means,  his  party  gained  strength  daily.      Few 

men  possessed   greater  talents  for  leading  a  party  of  this  de- 

8 


82  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

scription  than  Mr.  Waller.  The  only  thing  in  which  he  was 
deficient,  was,  that  he  could  not  be  happy  while  separated  from 
his  brethren.  He  used  to  say,  that  in  the  midst  of  apparent 
prosperity  and  the  caresses  of  his  friends,  he  still  yearned  after 
the  people  of  God  from  whom  he  had  withdrawn.  Some  years 
after  his  restoration,  he  said  to  a  young  preacher  who  was  dis- 
satisfied, and  talked  of  dissenting,  "If  you  could  have  a  distant 
view  of  my  suffering  and  leanness  of  soul,  while  a  dissenter 
from  my  brethren,  you  would  never  again  indulge  such  a 
thought.''  He  was  again  fully  reinstated  in  connexion  with 
his  brethren,  in  1787. 

A  very  great  revival  commenced  under  Mr.  Waller's  min- 
istry, in  1787.  This  continued  for  several  years;  and  spread 
through  all  his  places  of  preaching.  In  this  revival  he  was 
greatly  engaged;  and  baptized  from  first  to  last,  many  hundreds. 
Early  in  this  revival,  Mr.  A.  Waller,  son  of  his  brother  Ben- 
jamin, was  brought  in;  and  in  some  few  years  began  to  preach. 
Mr.  Waller  immediately  recognized  him  as  his  successor;  and 
declared  that  he  believed  his  work  in  that  part  of  the  earth  was 
finished.  Accordingly,  November  8th,  1793,  after  taking  the 
most  affectionate  farewell  of  the  churches,  he  removed  to  Ab- 
beville, in  the  state  of  South  Carolina.  This  removal  was 
said  to  have  arisen,  partly  from  economical  considerations,  and 
partly  from  a  strong  desire  with  himself  and  wife,  to  live  near 
a  beloved  daughter,  who  had  sometime  previously,  married 
Rev.  Abraham  Marshall,  of  Georgia.  Perhaps  there  might  be 
other  causes.  His  labors  in  his  new  residence,  were  also 
blessed;  but  not  to  a  great  extent.  He  remained,  however, 
faithful  in  the  cause,  until  his  death;  which  took  place,  July 
4th,  1802. 

His  death  was,  as  might  have  been  expected,  truly  glorious. 
His  eldest  son  describes  it,  in  the  following  words:  "His  con- 
flict with  death,  as  it  respected  bodily  affliction,  was  truly  hard; 
but  his  soul  appeared  lobe  happy  indeed!  Never  did  I  witness 
such  resignation  and  Christian  fortitude  before!  He  was  re- 
duced to  a  perfect   skeleton;    and}  in  several  places,   the  skin 


JOHN    WALLER.  83 

was  rubbed  off  his  bones.  His  pains  were  excruciating;  but 
no  murmur  was  heard  from  his  lips.  On  the  contrary,  he 
would  often  say,  'I  Itave  a  good  Master;  who  does  not  give  me 
one  stroke  too  hard,  or  one  too  many.' 

"The  last  sermon  he  preached,  was  on  the  death  of  a  young 
man.  The  text  on  which  he  preached,  was  Zechariah  ii,  4. 
'Run,  speak  to  this  young  man.'  He  addressed  himself  chiefly 
to  youth;  in  feeble,  but  animating  strains:  observing  that  he 
counted  upon  its  being  the  last  sermon  he  should  ever  preach; 
and  fervently  prayed,  that  Sampson  like,  he  might  slay  more 
at  his  death  than  he  had  done  in  his  life.  He  continued  speak- 
ing until  his  strength  failed  him,  and  with  reeling  steps  he 
advanced  to  a  bed,  where  we  thought  he  would  have  expired. 
Thence  he  was  removed  home  in  a  carriage,  for  the  last  time. 
He  said,,  as  to  his  soul,  he  was  under  no  concern,  he  had 
given  that  to  Jesus  long  since,  and  he  was  under  no  doubt  his 
Master  would  provide  a  mansion  for  it.  Just  before  his  depar- 
ture, he  summoned  all  his  family,  black  and  white,  around  him, 
and  told  them  he  was  anxious  to  be  gone,  and  to  be  present 
with  Christ,  and  then  warned  them  to  walk  in  the  fear  of  God, 
cordially  shook  hands  with  all,  and  soon  after,  with  a  pleasant 
countenance,  breathed  his  last,  and  fell  asleep  in  Jesus.''  I 
looked  on  the  corpse,  with  these  words  fresh  in  my  mind: 
"O  lovely  appearance  of  death." 

Thus  this  great  man  of  God,  conquered  the  last  enemy,  and 
ascended  to  that  rest  that  remainethfor  the  people  of  God.  He 
died  in  the  sixty-second  year  of  his  age,  having  been  a  minister 
of  God's  word  for  about  thirty-five  years,  and  in  that  time  had 
lain  in  four  different  jails  one  hundred  and  thirteen  days,  besides 
receiving  reproachings,  buffetings,  stripes,  &c.  Nor  was  his 
labor  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  While  in  Virginia,  he  baptized 
more  than  two  thousand  persons,  assisted  in  the  ordination  of 
twenty-seven  ministers,  and  in  the  constitution  of  eighteen 
churches.  For  many  years  he  had  the  ministerial  care  of  five 
churches,  for  which  he  preached  statedly.    As  a  preacher,  his 


84  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

talents  were  not  above  mediocrity,  but  he  was  certainly  a  man 
of  very  strong  mind.  His  talent  for  intrigue  was  equalled  by 
few.  This  he  exercised,  sometimes  beyond  the  innocence  of 
the  dove.  He  was,  perhaps,  too  emulous  to  carry  his  favorite 
points,  especially  in  associations,  yet  it  must  be  owned,  that 
such  influence  as  he  acquired  in  this  way,  he  always  endeavor- 
ed to  turn  to  the  glory  of  God. 


LEWIS     CRAIG, 


This  is  a  name  well  known  in  Virginia.  It  is  interwoven 
in  the  history  of  many  of  her  churches,  and  will  continue  to 
live  in  the  memory  of  the  pious,  while  time  endures.  To 
Lewis  Craig,  and  his  brother  Elijah,  may  we  look  as  among 
the  principal  instruments  of  introducing  the  gospel,  in  the  east- 
ern part  of  our  state. 

The  family  with  whom  they  were  connected,  are  said  to 
have  been  eminently  pious.  The  parents,  and  all  their  chil 
dren,  seven  sons,  and  four  daughters,  were  all  members  of  the 
Baptist  church.  Lewis  is  said  to  have  been  first  awakened 
under  the  preaching  of  Samuel  Harriss,  and  to  have  remained 
for  some  time  in  deep  distress.  In  following  the  preacher  from 
place  to  place,  he  would  sometimes  break  out  in  solemn  ex- 
hortation to  others,  to  escape  the  wrath  to  come,  while  he  con- 
fessed, that  he  was  himself  without  hope.  He  ultimately  re- 
joiced in  Christ,  and  in  1767,  when  about  twenty-seven  years 
of  age,  was  baptized,  and  began  to  preach.  He  was  far  from 
possessing  a  cultivated  mind,  but  being  a  sensible  man,  and 
having  a  very  musical  voice,  with  agreeable  manners,  and,  espe- 
cially, going  forth  under  the  constraining  influence  of  the  love 
of  Christ,  he  excited  much  interest  among  the  people  he  ad- 
dressed. He  travelled  almost  constantly,  and  the  large  con- 
gregations which  every  where  attended  his  ministry,  were 
entreated  to  escape  the  divine  wrath,  with  the  most  impassioned 


LEWIS    CHAIG. 


96 


earnestness.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  burning  zeal  with 
which  he  persuaded  men  to  be  reconciled  to  God.  His  ser- 
mons consisted  in  a  plain  pungent  exhibition  of  the  evil  of  sin, 
and  its  ruinous  consequences,  with  the  glad  tidings  of  redeem- 
ing love,  through  a  Saviour.  Hundreds  of  his  hearers  found 
in  these  announcements,  the  means  of  salvation.  The  gospel 
came  to  them,  not  in  word  only,  but  in  power,  in  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  in  much  assurance. 

These  successful  results  were  principally  manifested  in  the 
counties  of  Orange  and  Spotsylvania.  The  first  Baptist  church 
organized,  between  the  James  and  Rappahannock  rivers,  called 
Lower  Spotsylvania,  afterwards  Craig's,  was  the  fruit  of  his 
efforts.  This  church  was  constituted  in  1767,  Three  years 
after  this  period,  he  received  and  accepted  an  invitation  to  pre- 
side over  them,  as  their  pastor.  Additions  were  regularly 
made  to  their  number,  but  in  1767,  an  extensive  revival  was 
enjoyed,  when  more  than  one  hundred  were  baptized.  The 
church  continued  to  prosper  until  1781,  when  their  pastor  re- 
moved to  the  western  country:  a  large  number  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church  left  the  state  with  him,  and  a  serious  de- 
cline was  experienced. 

Before  Elder  Craig's  departure  to  the  west,  he  was  counted 
worthy  of  his  Master  to  suffer  painful  trials  in  the  discharge 
of  his  ministerial  duties.  Various  means  were  employed  to 
alarm  and  cause  him  to  give  up  his  practice  of  preaching  the 
gospel.  He  thought  of  the  Saviour's  dying  love,  and  deter- 
mined to  go  forward  even  at  the  expense  of  life.  At  length 
he  was  arrested  by  the  sheriff  of  Spotsylvania,  and  brought 
before  three  magistrates,  in  the  yard  of  the  meeting-house, 
who  bound  him,  with  others,  in  the  penalty  of  two  thousand 
pounds,  to  appear  at  court  two  days  after.  They  attended,  and 
were  arraigned  as  disturbers  of  the  peace.  The  prosecuting 
attorney  represented  them  to  be  a  great  annoyance  to  the  coun- 
ty by  their  zeal  as  preachers.  "May  it  please  your  worship," 
said  he,  "they  cannot  meet  a  man  upon  the  road  but  they  must 
ram  a  text  of  scripture  down  his  throat.''  After  hearing  their 
8* 


86  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

defence,  the  court  determined  that  they  should  be  liberated,  pro- 
vided they  would  give  security  no  more  to  preach  in  the  county 
within  twelve  months.  To  this  condition,  Elder  C.  and  his 
companions  refused  to  yield.  They  were  then  sentenced  to 
close  confinement  in  the  jail.  As  they  passed  on  to  prison 
through  the  streets  of  Fredericksburg,  they  united  in  singing 
the  lines: 

"Broad  is  the  road  that  leads  to  death." 

They  remained  in  prison  orffe  month,  and  were  then  released. 
Elder  Craig  then  visited  Williamsburg,  to  obtain  relief  for  his 
brethren.  The  following  letter  was  conveyed  by  him  from  the 
deputy  governor,  to  the  king's  attorney: 

"Sir:  I  lately  received  a  letter  signed  by  a  good  number  of 
worthy  gentlemen,  who  are  not  here,  complaining  of  the  Bap- 
tists; the  particulars  of  their  misbehavior  are  not  told,  any 
farther  than  their  running  into  private  houses,  and  making  dis- 
sentions.  Mr.  Craig  and  Mr.  Benjamin  Waller  are  now  with 
me,  and  deny  the  charge:  they  tell  me  they  are  willing  to  take 
the  oaths,  as  others  have.  I  told  them  1  had  consulted  the 
attorney-general,  who  is  of  opinion  that  the  general  court  only 
have  a  right  to  grant  licenses,  and  therefore  1  referred  them 
to  the  court;  but,  on  their  application  to  the  attorney-general, 
they  brought  me  his  letter,  advising  me  to  write  to  you. 
Their  petition  was  a  matter  of  right,  and  you  ought  not  to 
molest  these  conscientious  people,  so  long  as  they  behave 
themselves  in  a  manner  becoming  pious  Christians,  and  in 
obedience  to  the  laws — till  the  court,  when  they  intend  to 
apply  for  license,  and  when  the  gentlemen,  who  complain,  may 
make  their  objections,  and  be  heard.  The  act  of  toleration  (it 
being  found  by  experience,  that  persecuting  dissenters  increases 
their  numbers)  has  given  them  a  right  to  apply,  in  a  proper 
manner,  for  licensed  houses,  for  the  worship  of  God,  according 
to  their  consciences;  and  I  persuade  myself,  the  gentlemen 
will  quietly  overlook  their  meetings,  till  the  court.  I  am  told, 
they  administer  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper,  near  the 


LEWIS    CRAIG.  87 

manner  we  do,  and  differ  in  nothing  from  our  church,  but  in 
that  of  baptism,  and  their  renewing  the  ancient  discipline;  by 
which,  they  have  reformed  some  sinners,  and  brought  them  to 
be  truly  penitent:  nay,  if  a  man  of  theirs  is  idle,  and  neglects 
to  labor,  and  provide  for  his  family  as  he  ought,  he  incurs  their 
censures,  which  have  had  good  effects.  If  this  be  their  be- 
havior, it  were  to  be  wished  we  had  some  of  it  among  us.  But, 
at  least,  ]  hope,  all  may  remain  quiet,  till  the  court. 
"I  am,  with  great  respects  to  the  gentlemen,  sir, 
Your  humble  servant, 

JOHN  BLAIR. 
"Williamsburg,  July  16,  1768." 

The  prisoners  were,  after  a  short  time,  released.  During 
their  confinement,  Elder  C.  preached  through  the  grates  to 
large  crowds,  and  was  the  means  of  doing  much  good.  When 
he  was  permitted  to  go  at  large,  he  went  forth  with  renewed 
spiritual  strength,  defending  the  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  He 
was  enabled  to  thank  God,  that  he  was  permitted  to  suffer 
shame  for  the  name  of  Christ.  Day  and  night  in  his  neigh- 
borhood and  in  all  the  surrounding  country,  he  ceased  not  to 
teach  and  to  preach  the  gospel. 

In  1771,  about  three  years  after  this,  he  was  again  im- 
prisoned, in  the  county  of  Caroline.  He  had  several  times 
preached  there,  and  was  quite  successful.  Says  Mr.  Semple, 
in  referring  to  this  circumstance;  "Mr.  Craig  continued  to 
visit  this  place,  and  to  cultivate  the  seed  sown.  Believers 
were  added  from  time  to  time.  Satan  took  the  alarm,  and 
stirred  up  opposition  to  Mr.  Craig.  A  warrant  was  issued, 
and  Mr.  Craig  was  carried  before  a  magistrate,  to  whom  he 
gave  bond  not  to  preach  in  the  county  within  a  certain  number 
of  days;  but  feeling  himself  hampered  by  this  measure,  he 
thought  it  best  to  incur  the  penalty;  and  accordingly  preached 
some  little  time  after,  at  one  Reuben  Catlet's  plantation,  and 
was  taken  up  by  virtue  of  a  warrant  and  committed  to  prison, 
where  he  staid  three  months." 


SW  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

With  undiminished  ardor  and  success,  Mr.  Craig  continued 
to  preach  after  his  liberation.  It  is  stated  in  Semple's  History, 
that  Tuckahoe,  Upper  King  and  Queen,  and  Upper  Esses 
churches,  in  the  Dover  Association,  were  planted  under  his 
ministry.  As  long  as  he  remained  in  Virginia,  he  was  emi- 
nently useful.  It  has  been  already  stated  that  in  1781,  he  re- 
moved to  the  west.  He  settled  on  Gilbert's  creek,  Lincoln 
county,  and  immediately  formed  a  church  of  those  who  had 
been  dismissed  with  him,  from  Craig's,  in  his  native  state.  In 
about  two  years  after,  he  again  removed  within  six  miles  of 
Lexington,  and  built  up  the  first  Baptist  church  in  that  part  of 
Kentucky,  called  South  Elkhorn.  Here  he  was  drawn  into  the 
whirlpool  of  speculation,  and  suffered  many  losses.  His  peace 
of  mind  also  was  much  disturbed.  Still  he  retained  an  un- 
tarnished reputation,  and  continued  to  preach,  while  the  church 
was  greatly  multiplied  under  his  ministry.  In  1795,  he  set- 
tled in  Bracken  county,  where  also  the  Lord  made  him  greatly 
successful,  as  a  large  church  was  built  up  under  his  care. 

He  lived  to  advanced  age.  His  last  days  were  distinguished 
by  increased  spirituality  of  mind.  His  conversation  was  mostly 
on  heavenly  topics,  and  it  was  frequently  said  that  he  seemed 
to  enjoy  much  of  heaven  in  his  soul.  His  trials  had  been 
greatly  sanctified  to  his  good,  and  like  a  little  child  he  yielded 
quietly  to  the  will  of  his  Father,  He  died,  after  a  short  ill- 
ness, in  the  87th  year  of  his  age. 

His  sermons  were  remarkable  for  their  evangelic  and  prac- 
tical character.  He  possessed  an  easy  address,  his  language 
was  simple  and  flowing,  and  in  exhortation  excelled  most  of 
his  cotemporaries.  Very  often,  when  several  sermons  had 
been  preached,  without  producing,  apparently,  any  effect  upon 
the  people,  he  would  foilow,  and  by  his  pathetic  appeals  pro- 
duce almost  universal  feeling  in  the  congregation.  He  was 
always  very  industrious  in  his  habits,  and  strictly  temperate. 
Endowed  with  a  natural  sweetness  of  temper,  and  being  much 
under  the  influence  of  the  gospel,  he  was  greatly  beloved  by 
all  classes  of  men. 


WILLIAM    BASKETT.  89 


WILLIAM     BASKETT,* 


Eldek  William  Baskett  was  born  in  Goochland  county, 
October,  1741.  Having  descended  from  parents  who  were 
poor,  and  not  being  favored  with  the  means  of  education,  but 
little  is  known  of  him  until  his  twentieth  year,  about  which 
fcime  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Pace,  who  was  also  a  na- 
tive of  Goochland.  In  this,  his  only  matrimonial  connexion, 
he  was  blessed  with  thirteen  children,  eight  sons  and  five 
daughters. 

From  his  earliest  years,  he  had  been  impressed  with  ideas 
of  the  value  and  necessity  of  religion;  had  regularly  attended 
public  worship;  and  had  even  received,  as  he  advanced  in  age, 
the  Lord's  supper.  After  his  marriage,  he  established  in  his 
family,  morning  and  evening  service,  in  which  he  read  prayers. 
This  he  did  for  seven  years,  while  yet  he  had  not,  as  he  after- 
wards discovered,  known  or  felt  the  nature  and  effects  of  gos- 
pel truth. 

About  this  period  his  neighborhood  began  to  be  visited  by 
Baptist  preachers.  Of  them  and  their  doctrines,  numerous 
and  different  reports  were  in  circulation.  The  first  of  these, 
an  opportunity  to  hear  whom  presented  itself,  was  brother 
Corbley.  He  went,  moved  partly  by  curiosity,  and  partly  with 
a  desire  to  be  profited.  This  was  the  first  preacher  not  of  the 
established  church,  that  he  had  ever  heard.  On  his  return 
home,  at  a  late  hour,  he  found  Mrs.  Baskett  waiting  patiently 
to  be  informed  concerning  the  new  preacher  and  his  tenets,  of 
which  he  gave  a  description  before  he  received  any  refresh- 
ment. Soon  afterwards  they  both  had  an  opportunity  of  hear- 
ing brother  Corbley,  and  of  seeing  him  administer  the  ordi- 
nance of  baptism.  The  minds  of  both  became  now  so  much 
concerned,  that    Mr.  Baskett,  to  use  his  own  words,  "was 

*By  Elder  Robert  Lilly. 


90  BIOGRAPHY     OF 

scarcely  able  to  follow  his  plough;''  and  his  wife  was  frequently 
found  by  him,  when  he  returned  from  the  field,  engaged  in 
prayer. 

While  filled  with  anxiety  as  to  what  they  should  do  to  be 
saved,  they  walked,  on  a  dark  and  rainy  night,  three  miles  to 
hear  a  preacher  of  the  established  church.  Mr.  Baskett  asked 
the  preacher,  if  there  was  such  a  thing  to  be  obtained  as  a 
hope  of  personal  interest  in  the  merits  of  Christ;  a  knowledge 
of  acceptance  with  God?  The  preacher  replied,  that  for  his 
own  part,  he  felt  a  comfortable  hope  while  he  kept  the  com- 
mandments, and  at  no  other  time.  The  continued  distress 
and  farther  inquiries  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baskett  subjected  them 
to  the  charge,  on  the  part  of  the  preacher,  of  being  deranged. 
The  circumstances  under  which  he  obtained  comfort,  are 
found  in  the  following  extract  from  a  letter  written  by  himself, 
a  little  before  his  death: 

"In  childhood  and  youth,  I  often  promised  God  I  would 
serve  him,  if  spared  to  be  a  man.  From  my  marriage,  in  my 
twentieth,  until  my  twenty-seventh  year,  I  attende.d  scrupu- 
lously to  secret  and  public  prayer  and  worship,  and  to  the  or- 
dinance of  the  supper.  But,  now,  I  saw  myself  a  guilty,  un- 
done sinner;  and,  during  eight  months,  was  without  comfort. 
At  length,  one  night,  at  midnight,  on  my  bended  knees,  im- 
ploring divine  mercy  through  Christ,  and  throwing  myself  at 
the  disposal  of  sovereign  grace,  my  mind  was  turned  to  the 
words,  'He  that  trusts  in  the  Lord  shall  never  be  confounded.' 
I  saw  that  'God  was,  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world  unto 
himself,  not  imputing  their  trespasses  unto  them.'  For  several 
days  my  heart  was  filled  with  joy.  Since,  my  life  has  been  a 
constant  warfare.  I  am  sensible  of  much  remaining  imper- 
fection, but  cannot  fear  death  or  judgment.  The  judge  is 
himself  my  friend.  Nor  do  I  apprehend  destruction  by  my 
spiritual  foes  or  my  trials.  It  is  God  who  worketh  in  us,  both 
to  will  and  to  do.  In  six  troubles  he  is  with  us,  and  doth 
not  forsake  us  in  the  seventh.  If  we  pass  through  waters, 
they  cannot  overflow  us;  if  through  fires,  they  cannot  burn  us. 


WILLIAM    BASKETT.  91 

I  believe  all  this  in  my  heart.  If  my  conduct  does  not  agree 
with  this,  place  no  confidence  in  me  or  what  I  say,  My  de- 
sire is  to  glorify  God  through  the  remainder  of  my  life.  The 
tree  is  best  known  by  its  fruits.  Please  to  send  me  an  account 
of  your  own  religious  experience.'' 

Not  long  afterwards,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baskett  were  baptized, 
together  with  two  other  neighbors,  by  Elder  Elijah  Craic. 
These  first  Baptists  of  that  vicinity  frequently  visited  each  other 
for  conversation  and  social  prayer.  Brother  B.  thought  him- 
self far  inferior  to  the  rest  of  this  little  company,  in  scriptural 
knowledge;  but  they  always  urged  him  forward,  and  he  was 
soon  employed  in  the  exhortation  of  his  neighbors,  who  attend- 
ed these  meetings  for  the  purpose  of  hearing.  Others  made  a 
profession  of  faith  under  his  labors,  and  in  the  year  1774  a 
church  was  constituted,  called  Lisles,  consisting  of  eighteen 
male  members  and  thirty-two  white  female  members.  This 
church  was  served  by  Elder  Webber,  as  pastor,  until  1787; 
under  whose  ministry,  in  the  course  of  two  years,  many  souls 
were  added.  In  the  toils  of  this  revival,  Mr.  Baskett  shared 
largely,  and  in  1789  he  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  an  evan- 
gelist. Five  years  afterwards,  Elder  Webber  removed  to  Ken- 
tucky, when  Elder  Baskett  was  called  to  the  pastoral  office. 

From  this  time  until  the  year  1815,  he  was  blessed  in  his 
family  and  church.  His  faithfulness  and  zeal  as  a  pastor,  and 
all  his  conduct  in  his  domestic  affairs,  were  exemplary.  He 
lived  to  see  all  his  children  married  and  settled,  and  himself 
possessed  of  extensive  property,  which  had  gradually  increased 
upon  his  hands.  On  the  21st  of  April  his  aged  consort,  after 
a  few  days'  indisposition,  fell  asleep  in  death.  The  next  Sab- 
bath he  preached,  his  last,  and  those  present  said  his  best  ser- 
mon, from  the  words:  "We  have  no  continuing  city,  but  seek 
one  to  come  "  On  the  30th  of  the  same  month,  his  own  tran- 
quil spirit  escaped  this  state  of  trial,  and  went  to  the  enjoy- 
ment of  rest.  In  his  illness  he  consented  to  receive  medical 
aid,  he  said,  merely  to  gratify  his  friends.  He  knew  he  was 
about  to  depart,  and  found  his  soul  supported   by   the  consola- 


92  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

tions  of  the  gospel;  and  cheered  and  sustained  by  its  gracious 
promises. 

The  removal  of  these  two  faithful  servants  was  improved 
on  the  24th  of  June  ensuing,  by  Elders  Purrington  and  Hiter. 
Elder  Hiter  preached  from  Phil,  i,  21.  "For  me  to  live,  is 
Christ;  to  die,  is  gain.''  Elder  Purrington,  from  2  Kings  ii,  12. 
"My  Father,  my  Father,  the  chariot  of  Israel,  and  the  horse- 
men thereof."  The  large  concourse  which  assembled,  and 
the  feelings  they  manifested,  bespoke  the  excellence  of  those 
pious  souls,  and  the  high  veneration  and  affection  with  which 
they  were  regarded.     "The    memory  of  the  just  is  blessed." 


JOHN    COURTNEY. 


The  Rev.  John  Courtney  was  born  in  the  county  of  King 
and  Queen,  about  the  year  1744.  His  parents  were  members 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  in  which,  of  course,  he  was 
himself  educated.  His  eldest  brother,  as  well  as  his  father, 
were  conspicuous  and  influential  members  of  that  church. 

Of  the  early  history  of  this  sincerely  loved,  and  justly  vene- 
rated man,  scarcely  any  thing  is  known.  Although  he  was,  in 
after  life,  found  possessed  of  a  mind  and  heart  excellent,  in  no 
ordinary  degree;  and  although  his  labors  were  useful,  to  an 
extent  reached  by  few,  whose  names  have  been  echoed  far  and 
wide,  yet,  in  the  midst  of  his  toils,  fatigues,  and  success,  his 
acquaintance  was  almost  confined  to  his  native  state.  It  has 
sometimes  happened,  that  men  of  superior  virtues,  have  been 
unknown  in  the  world,  as  mines  of  inconceivable  value  lie  hid 
in  the  bowels  of  the  earth.  The  history  of  the  acts  of  the 
apostles,  is  for  the  most  part,  limited  to  narrations  concerning 
two  of  them,  Paul  and  Parnabas,  who  were  themselves  not  of 
the  twelve.  Enoch  was  doubtless  a  man  of  distinguished 
merit;  yet  with  the  exception  of  his  age,  and  the  mention  of  the 
*  Prepared  by  Elder  Henry  Keeling. 


JOHN  COURTNEY.  93 

fact,  that  he  had  descendants,  his  biography,  by  Moses,  is  con- 
tained in  these  few  significant  words,  "And  Enoch  walked  with 
God;  and  he  was  not;  for  God  took  him."  Nor,  had  we  been 
favored  with  any  further  information  of  his  character,  if  after 
the  lapse  of  thousands  of  years,  it  had  not  been,  apparently  by 
incident,  recorded,  "Enoch  also,  the  seventh  from  Adam,  pro- 
phesied of  these,  saying,  'Behold  the  Lord  cometh  with  ten 
thousands  of  his  saints,  to  execute  judgment  upon  all.' '' 

The  decease  of  his  father,  left  him  an  orphan  when  young, 
and  the  possession  of  the  estate,  according  to  law,  devolving  on 
the  oldest  son,  it  was  determined,  as  soon  as  his  age  would 
allow  it,  that  John  should  be  bound  apprentice  to  the  business 
of  carpenter.  No  more  is  now  heard  of  him,  until  having 
arrived  at  years  of  maturity,  he  makes  his  appearance  abroad. 
Thus  it  had  been  with  Him,  whom  Elder  Courtney  delighted 
to  honor  and  serve,  the  glorious  Redeemer.  From  the  age  of 
twelve,  to  thirty  years,  nothing  is  said  of  Him. 

Mr.  Courtney,  as  a  man,  possessed  a  generous,  frank,  and 
nobly  independent  spirit.  And  these  dispositions  were  remark- 
ably to  be  observed,  in  his  subsequent  character,  as  a  Christian, 
and  a-  minister  of  the  gospel.  This  coincidence  is,  no  doubt 
common.  Enterprise,  decision,  perseverance,  and  boldness, 
were  characteristics  of  the  apostle  Paul,  both  before  and  after 
his  conversion  to  the  faith  of  Christ;  but  the  objects  towards 
which  they  were  directed,  were  changed  by  his  conversion. 

At  what  period  of  life  he  entered  the  matrimonial  relation- 
ship, is  rather  uncertain,  but  it  is  known  to  have  been  previous 
to  his  making  a  profession  of  religion.  His  conversion  is  dated 
at  the  great  revival  of  religion,  which,  under  the  preaching  of 
John  Waller,  Lewis  Craig,  James  Childs,  John  Shackleford, 
Robert  Ware,  Ivison  Lewis,  and  others,  secured  persecution, 
even  to  blows,  stripes,  and  imprisonments.  After  the  example 
of  Moses,  who  ''chose  rather  to  suffer  afflictions  with  the  peo- 
ple of  God,  than  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin  for  a  season," 
he  joined  himself  to  the  persecuted,  and  with  them  identified 
9 


94  BIOGRAPHY   OF 

his  religious  interests,  in  which  all  others  were  involved,  to  a 
much  greater  extent  than  now,  when  liberty  is  enjoyed. 

Having  experienced  the  efficacy  of  gospel  truth  in  his  own 
heart,  he  soon  began  to  persuade  others  to  repent,  and  in  his 
turn  suffered  the  frowns  and  wrath,  to  which  his  companions 
had  been,  and  were  exposed.  At  about  this  time,  the  revolu- 
tion was  maturing  its  plans,  and  within  a  few  years  the  inde- 
pendence of  the  United  States  was  declared.  Repeatedly  were 
the  services  of  this  man  of  God  required,  both  in  the  camp, 
and  in  the  field;  since,  although  considered  by  his  own  denomi- 
nation, entitled  to  preach  and  administer  church  ordinances, 
not  having  been  ordained,  according  to  the  usages  of  the  church 
of  England,  he  was  not  recognized  by  the  law,  as  a  minister 
of  Christ.  But  probably,  if  the  law  had  not  compelled  him, 
his  patriotism  and  valor,  and  love  of  liberty,  civil  and  religious, 
would  have  taken  him  to  the  field. 

After  the  close  of  the  revolution,  he  removed  to  the  city  of 
Richmond.  Here,  in  addition  to  his  pastoral  labors,  he 
"wrought  with  his  own  hands,  ministering  to  his  necessities," 
and  to  those  of  such  as  were  "with  him.''  During  a  period 
of  more  than  forty  years,  he  served  the  Baptist  church  in  this 
city,  either  as  their  exclusive,  or  senio?'  pastor.  Faithfulness, 
affection,  disinterestedness,  and  zeal,  marked  his  whole  career. 
He  could  with  propriety  adopt  the  language,  "Therefore,  re- 
member, that  I  ceased  not  to  warn  every  one,  night  and  day, 
with  tears.  1  have  coveted  no  man's  silver  or  gold,  or  apparel. 
I  have  shewed  you  all  things,  how,  that  so  laboring,  ye  ought 
to  support  the  weak;  and  to  remember  the  words  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  how  he  said,  'It  is  more  blessed  to  give,  than  to 
receive.'  " 

Elder  Courtney  did  not  enjoy  the  advantages  of  education. 
It  is  well  known,  that  in  his  early  days,  these  were  confined  to 
the  opulent  and  great.  In  this  colony,  only  one  college  existed, 
William  and  Mary,  in  Williamsburg;  and  all  the  colonies, 
besides,  could  number  only  four.  Had  the  means  of  learning 
been  as  abundant  then,  as  now,  his  aspiring  mind  had  elevated 


JOUN    COUKTNEY.  95 

itself  to  the  rank  of  any  of  his  contemporaries.  It  was,  indeed 
among  the  endeavors  of  those  who  were  in  power,  to  prevent 
the  progress  of  letters,  and  the  diffusion  of  knowledge. 

But,  how  much,  even  the  want  of  learning  may  have  been 
instrumental  in  contributing  to  the  excellency  of  this  distin- 
guished man,  it  is  not  possible  to  imagine.  Want  of  learning, 
is  a  great  disadvantage  and  misfortune.  Yet  it  is  as  easy  to 
conceive,  that  even  this  may  be  made  conducive  to  a  man's 
virtue  and  usefulness,  as  it  is,  to  conceive  that  the  barrenness 
of  a  soil  may  promote  the  wealth  of  its  inhabitants,  by  creating 
enterprise,  industry,  and  economy. 

It  is  truly  desirable,  that  ministers  of  the  gospel  be  well 
educated  men.  But  this  should  neve?'  form  the  base  of  their 
qualifications.  And  who  will  assume  the  responsibility  of  say- 
ing, that  none  but  classical  and  scientific  men  shall  preach?  or 
who  will  name  the  attainments  requisite  to  be  made?  Educa- 
tion is  important  in  an  orator  or  a  statesman;  yet  with  such  an 
one,  as  could  not  be  called  classical,  Patrick  Henry  inspired, 
and  roused  into  effort  a  nation,  and  the  immortal  Washington 
conducted  it  to  freedom.  And  an  apostle  declares,  "1,  brethren, 
came  not  unto  you,  with  excellency  of  speech,  or  of  man's 
wisdom,  declaring  unto  you  the  testimony  of  God;  but  was 
with  you  in  weakness,  and  fear,  and  much  trembling.''  But  he 
was  a  man  of  strong  and  rational  powers,  candor,  godly  sin- 
cerity, knowledge  of  things  and  men,  acquaintance  with  the 
word  of  God,  ardent  devotion,  and  exemplary  life.  He  did  not 
direct  others  to  the  path  of  life,  and  himself  wander  in  the 
road  to  death.  More  than  half  a  century  proves  the  genu- 
ineness of  a  profession,  which  he  had  made,  when  it  was  un- 
fashionable and  hazardous. 

In  the  performance  of  pastoral  duty,  assistance  was  found 
necessary,  during  the  last  fourteen  years  of  his  life.  Of  these, 
he  was  aided  nine  years,  by  the  Rev.  John  Brice;  one,  by 
the  Rev.  Andrew  Broaddus;  and  three,  by  the  Rev.  Henry 
Keeling. 

For  four  years  previous  to  his  death,  he  seldom,  if  ever,  at- 


96  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

tempted  to  preach;  but  was  nevertheless  employed  in  the  work 
of  his  Lord  and  Master.  Long  will  his  faithful  visits  be  re- 
membered. Even,  when  debility  prevented  him  from  being 
able  to  dismount  from  his  horse,  he  rode  from  door  to  door,  to 
encourage,  counsel,  and  exhort.  As  the  termination  of  his 
days  approached,  his  decline  was  evident.  It  was  the  privi- 
lege of  the  writer  of  this  sketch,  to  be  frequently  with  him. 
The  lessons  of  patience,  gratitude,  and  heavenly  mindedness, 
which  his  appearance  and  conversation  inculcated,  will  never 
be  forgotten.  In  the  deepest  affliction,  he  not  only,  did  not 
complain,  but  rendered  thanks  to  God. 

On  the  18th  of  December,  1824,  this  servant  of  God  went 
to  receive  his  reward.  Having  lived  the  life  of  the  righteous, 
he  died  his  death.  With  a  "hope,  full  of  immortality,''  he  fell 
asleep  in  Jesus.  Tn  few  instances,  can  the  declaration  of 
Paul  the  apostle,  have  been  more  appropriate,  "I  have  fought 
a  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith; 
henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me,  a  crown  of  righteousness, 
which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  Judge,  will  give  unto  me,  at 
that  day,  and  not  unto  me  only,  but  unto  all  them  that  love  his 
appearing."  Sixteen  years  before  him,  the  partner  of  his 
youth,  and  riper  years,  entered  that  "rest  which  remaineth  for 
the  people  of  God." 


JOHN      KOONTZ. 


It  is  a  pleasing  task  to  review  the  lives  of  those  who  have 
been  leaders  in  promoting  any  important  reformation  among 
their  fellow  men.  Especially  does  such  a  review  become  in- 
teresting, if  numerous  and  severe  trials  have  been  cheerfully 
sustained  for  the  sake  of  Christ  and  his  kingdom.  Who  does 
not  find  a  melancholy  delight  in  perusing  the  brief  narrative 
which  the  sacred  historian  gives  of  the  first  martyr's  zeal  and 


JOHN    KOONTZ.  97 

sufferings?  How  nobly  does  he  plead  for  God,  and  how  faith- 
fully does  he  expose  the  evil  and  danger  of  sin?  With  what 
constancy  and  meekness  does  he  fall  beneath  the  shower  of 
stones  with  which  his  bloody  persecutors  assailed  him?  Nu- 
merous instances  of  the  sacrifice  of  life  or  of  worldly  enjoy- 
ment for  Christ's  sake  have  occurred  since  the  days  of  Stephen, 
all  of  which  furnish  indubitable  evidence  of  the  divinity  of  the 
gospel. 

Among  those  who  suffered  for  the  name  of  Christ  among 
the  early  Virginia  Baptists,  was  Elder  John  Koontz.  He 
was,  by  extraction  and  birth,  a  German.  At  the  time  of  his 
conversion,  he  resided  in  Frederick,  near  Front  Royal.  In  that 
county  ho  was  baptized,  Dec.  1768.  Shortly  after,  he  was 
called  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  For  several  months,  his 
efforts  were  confined  to  the  vicinity  of  his  residence.  But  in 
the  latter  part  of  1770,  he  visited  his  brother,  then  residing  in 
Shenandoah,  and  finding  the  people  generally  ignorant  of  those 
things  which  belonged  to  their  peace,  he  began  to  exhort  them 
to  escape  the  wrath  to  come.  The  sentiments  he  advanced, 
and  the  benevolent  zeal  with  which  he  inculcated  them,  excited 
universal  attention.  Vast  crowds  attended  his  ministrations; 
nor  did  they  hear  in  vain.  The  Lord  opened  their  hearts  to 
receive  the  word,  and  caused  the  truth  to  be  mighty  in  their  de- 
liverance from  the  kingdom  of  darkness.  As  the  excitement 
increased,  and  many  found  redemption  in  Christ,  several  other 
Baptist  ministers  visited  the  county,  and  assisted  this  young 
laborer  in  gathering  the  harvest.  At  that  time,  he  was  not  or- 
dained. Those  who  believed  in  Christ,  were  baptized  by  Elder 
Samuel  Harriss,  while  Mr.  Koontz  continued  to  lift  up  his  voice 
like  a  trumpet,  to  cry  aloud  and  spare  not.  With  unwearied  as- 
siduity, he  availed  himself  of  all  facilities  to  preach  a  crucified 
Saviour.  In  that  settlement,  there  were  many  Germans,  to 
whom  his  ministry  was  much  blessed.  Frequently  to  the  same 
congregation  he  would  preach,  first  in  Dutch,  and  then  in 
English. 

These  efforts  in  connexion  with  the  labors  of  Elder  John 
9* 


y»  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

Picket  and  others,  resulted  in  the  constitution  of  Whitehouse, 
since  called  Mill  creek  church,  in  1772.  At  this  time  there 
were  two  members  who  employed  their  talents  in  preaching 
the  gospel,  and  in  making  choice  of  one  of  these  to  be  their 
pastor,  some  difference  of  sentiment  existed,  by  which  they  re- 
mained a  short  period  unsupplied.  But  ultimately,  having 
prevailed  on  Mr.  Koontz  to  remove  from  Frederick,  and  settle 
among  them,  they  unanimously  elected  him  to  that  office. 
This  occurred  in  1776,  when  he  was  ordained. 

During  the  first  years  of  Elder  Koontz's  ministerial  labor 
in  the  vicinity  of  Mill  creek,  his  progress  was  much  impeded 
by  the  opposition  of  some  German  Menonists,  a  sect  which 
prevailed  in  that  region.  Several  of  these  heard  and  received 
the  truth.  A  very  considerable  excitement  was  produced  in 
consequence  of  this  circumstance,  and  as  Elder  Koontz  was 
the  principal  instrument  in  the  revival,  they  directed  their 
shafts  against  him.  Mr.  Semple  thus  describes  this  event:  "In 
order  to  overturn  the  works  of  Satan,  as  they  called  it,  they 
sent  for  preachers  from  Pennsylvania.  In  some  short  time,  four 
or  five  Pennsylvania  Menonist  preachers  came.  They  labored 
much  to  prevent  the  work  then  going  on.  They  conceived,  as 
he  could  preach  in  Dutch,  that  John  Koontz  was  the  chief 
cause  of  this  disturbance,  and  thought  if  he  could  be  convinced, 
or  by  any  means  checked,  there  would  be  no  more  of  it.  To 
this  end,  the  preachers  came  to  his  house,  and  labored  much 
to  convince  him.  They  contended  that  Christians  ought  not  to 
hold  with  going  to  war,  with  slavery,  or  taking  legal  oaths; 
that  these  were  fundamental  points.  To  this  Mr.  Koontz  re- 
plied, that  the  Baptists  upon  these  points  left  every  man  at  his 
own  discretion,  wishing  all  to  follow  the  dictates  of  his  own 
conscience;  he  then  questioned  them  as  to  the  reason  of  their 
hope  in  Christ,  whether  they  had  felt  the  power  of  godliness 
in  their  hearts,  or  whether  they  relied  upon  their  nursery  faith. 
He  found  them  entire  strangers  to  vital  godliness,  denying  the 
existence  thereof.  They  left  him,  and  held  meetings  in  the 
neighborhood  two  days,  striving  publicly  and   privately  against 


JOHN    KOONTZ.  99 

the  revival  then  happily  progressing.    Their  labor  was  in  vain- 
God  still  added  to  his  people  such  as  should  be  saved.'' 

Perhaps  no  Baptist  in  the  United  States  has  suffered  more 
at  the  hands  of  opposers  than  did  this  servant  of  the  Lord. 
Various  means  were  resorted  to  by  his  enemies  to  deter  him 
from  speaking  in  the  name  of  Christ.  Like  his  Master,  he 
was  treated  with  contumely  and  scorn.  They  threatened  him 
with  imprisonment  and  stripes.  But,  sustained  by  an  Almighty 
arm,  he  continued  steadfast  to  his  purpose.  To  please  God, 
rather  than  man,  was  the  desire  of  his  soul.  Conscious  of  the 
rectitude  of  his  heart,  and  the  scriptural  character  of  the  prin- 
ciples he  inculcated,  he  was  ready,  with  Paul,  not  to  be  bound 
only,  but  also  to  die  for  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  His 
firmness  in  passing  through  the  furnace,  will  be  evinced  in 
referring  to  an  extract  from  the  history  of  the  Virginia  Bap- 
tists. "Once  Mr.  Koontz  was  met  on  the  road  and  beaten.  On 
another  occasion,  he  attended  a  meeting  towards  Smith's  creek. 
When  he  arrived  at  the  place,  he  was  met  by  a  set  of  ruffians, 
who  forbade  his  preaching.  One  Captain  Leahorn,  a  respect- 
able man,  interfered  and  insisted  he  should  preach,  and  pre- 
vailed. The  persecutors,  however,  threw  out  heavy  threats, 
that  if  he  ever  came  that  way  upon  that  errand  again,  they 
would  beat  him  severely.  Mr.  K.  could  not  be  deterred  from 
coming,  and  they  kept  their  word.  He  went  not  long  after. 
His  enemies  had  thrown  in  money,  and  hired  a  son  of  dark- 
ness to  beat  him.  Accordingly,  as  soon  as  he  arrived,  the 
miscreant  began  to  strike  him  with  the  butt  end  of  a  large 
cane — requiring  him  to  promise  never  to  come  there  again. 
This  Mr.  K.  refused  to  do.  The  fellow  continued  beating 
until  he  had  almost  disabled  him.  Then  he  left  him.  While 
thus  suffering,  Mr.  K.  felt  nothing  more  than  a  firm  determina- 
tion not  to  yield.  But  the  savage  had  left  him  but  a  few  steps, 
before  he  felt  his  soul  exceedingly  comforted.  He  could  then 
thank  God  that  he  was  counted  worthy  to  suffer  persecution 
for  the  name  of  Christ. 

"Some  time  after  this,  he  and  Martin  Kaufman  went  to  a 


100  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

place  about  six  or  seven  miles  from  thence,  and  while  they 
were  preparing  to  preach,  he  heard  a  man  in  a  room,  adjoining 
that  in  which  he  and  Mr.  Kaufman  were  sitting,  inquire  for  Mr. 
Koontz.  When  he  heard  the  inquiry,  he  immediately  suspected 
that  some  mischief  was  in  agitation,  and  stepped  into  a  third 
room  out  of  sight.  The  man,  who  had  probably  been  insti- 
gated by  some  other  persons,  did  not  know  either  Koontz  or 
Kaufman.  When  he  came  into  the  room,  he  supposed  Martin 
Kaufman  to  be  John  Koontz,  and,  without  asking  any  ques- 
tions, fell  upon  him  with  a  stick,  or  something  of  the  kind.  It 
was  not  until  he  had  received  many  blows,  that  he  could  con- 
vince the  persecutor  that  he  was  not  named  Koontz.  In  the 
meantime  the  man's  wrath  was  satisfied,  and  he  went  off  with- 
out finding  Mr.  Koontz." 

"On  another  occasion  he  attended  an  appointment,  but  be- 
fore he  had  begun  to  preach,  they  took  him  off  and  said  they 
would  carry  him  to  prison.  At  a  small  distance  from  the 
place,  they  met  a  man  coming  to  meeting;  he  .said  he  had 
come  to  hear  Mr.  K.  preach;  that  they  should  not  carry  him 
any  farther,  and  attempted  to  rescue  him.  But  the  persecutors 
beat  him  off.  When  they  had  carried  him  a  small  distance 
farther,  he  said  to  them,  'Take  heed  what  you  do,  if  I  am  a 
man  of  God,  you  fight  against  God.'  One  of  the  party  was 
immediately  alarmed.  The  warning  dropped,  was  owned  of 
God,  working  in  him  a  repentance  not  to  be  repented  of.  They 
had  proceeded  but  a  little  way,  before  the  whole  company  be- 
gan to  relent,  and  agreed  to  let  him  go.  The  man  who  first 
took  the  alarm,  and  two  or  three  more  of  the  company,  after- 
wards became  Baptists.'' 

The  valuable  labors  of  this  devoted  man,  were  not  circum- 
scribed by  the  county  in  which  he  lived.  They  were  extended 
to  the  adjacent  counties  of  Culpepper,  Rockingham,  Hardy, 
&c.  &c.  He  was  the  chief  means  of  the  formation  of  Lunie's 
creek  church.  Several  years  after  their  constitution,  when  in 
quite  a  declining  state,  they  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  supply  of 
ministerial  labor  from  him,  although  he  was  compelled  to  ride 


JOHN    MUNROT3,    M.   D.  101 

about  seventy  miles.  Lost  river  church  also  enjoyed  the  ben- 
efit of  his  direct  influence,  for  some  time. 

Speaking  of  Elder  Koontz,  in  1809,  (several  years  before 
his  death,)  Mr.  Semple  says:  "From  the  time  of  his  initiation 
into  the  ministry,  until  this  clay,  he  has  continued  faithfully  to 
declare  the  counsel  of  God.  Among  the  Baptists,  there  have 
been  many  active  and  laborious  preachers,  whose  souls  have 
glowed  with  seraphic  ardor;  leaning  upon  the  sacred  promises, 
they  were  willing  to  suffer  with  Christ  here,  that  they  might 
reign  with  him  hereafter.  But  considering  Mr.  Koontz's  un- 
wearied labors  in  the  ministry — the  length  of  time  in  which 
he  has  been  engaged,  (about  forty  years,)  considering  that  he 
has  a  constitution  that  has  seldom  or  never  failed  him,  requir- 
ing short  and  few  intervals  of  rest,  it  may  be  fairly  stated,  that 
few,  if  any,  in  the  state,  have  surpassed  him  as  to  the  amount 
of  service  devoted  to  his  Lord's  vineyard.  He  has  been  a  la- 
borer indeed,  and  will  no  doubt  receive  his  full  wages  when- 
ever the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  shall  reckon  with  his  servants." 

The  same  honorable  testimony  to  his  fidelity  in  the  work  of 
the  ministry,  is  borne  by  those  who  knew  him  to  the  end  of 
life.  His  views  on  the  subject  of  believers'  baptism,  were  of 
the  most  uncompromising  kind.  The  same  may  be  said 
respecting  the  doctrinal  truths  of  the  gospel.  In  his  defence 
of  what  he  believed  to  be  the  counsel  of  God,  he  was  faithful. 
When  he  was  called  from  his  earthly  labors,  he  was  between 
eighty  and  ninety  years  of  age. 


JOHN     M UN  ROE,    M  .  D 


Born  in  1749.  In  his  twenty-first  year  he  became  pious, 
and  entered  the  ministry.  He  was  also  a  practitioner  of  medi- 
cine. He  is  represented  in  Semple's  History,  as  having  been 
very  useful,  for  many  years,  in  the  county   of  Fauquier.     "In 


102  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

the  pulpit,"  says  the  historian,  "he  is  a  man  of  solemn  dignit)', 
warm  address,  and  speaks  as  one  haviog  authority.  He  fre- 
quently takes  up  contested  subjects,  and  his  opponents  some- 
times complain,  that  at  such  seasons,  he  administers  very  strong 
corrosives.  The  Doctor,  however,  independent  of  this,  preaches 
the  gospel  of  peace,  in  power  and  demonstration  of  the  spirit." 

Before  he  removed  to  Hampshire  county,  he  was  instrumental 
in  founding  several  churches,  particularly  Upper  Carter's  run, 
and  Long  branch.  After  his  removal  also,  the  Lord  made  his 
efforts  a  blessing  to  his  cause.  He  became  the  pastor  of  New 
river,  and  Crooked  run  churches,  in  Hampshire,  and  afterwards 
of  Buckmarsh,  Frederick. 

His  demise  occurred  at  his  residence,  on  Big  Capon,  Va.  on 
the  17th  of  August,  1824.  In  noticing  this  event,  a  Christian 
brother  remarks:  "Few  men  have  been  instrumental  of  doing 
more  good.  He  was  a  warm,  experimental,  and  practical 
preacher  of  righteousness.  The  last  sermon  he  ever  preached, 
was  on  a  day  of  fasting,  humiliation,  and  prayer,  solemnly  set 
apart  by  the  church,  at  Buckmarsh,  (of  which  he  was  pastor,) 
on  account  of  the  dreadful  disease  which  was  spreading  through 
the  neighborhood.  On  that  occasion  he  was  warmer  than  we 
ever  saw  him  before;  his  whole  soul  seemed  engaged.  His 
text  was  Joel  ii,  1.  "Blow  ye  the  trumpet  in  Zion,  and  sound 
an  alarm  in  my  holy  mountain:  let  all  the  inhabitants  of  the 
land  tremble,  for  the  day  of  the  Lord  cometh,  for  it  is  nigh 
at  hand." 

"He  preached  as  though  he  ne'er  should  preach  again, 
And  as  a  dying  man,  to  dying  men." 


On  the  Sunday  following,  his  aged  wife  followed  him  to  the 
mansion  of  eternal  blessedness.  She  had,  for  many  years,  been 
a  pious  and  exemplary  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  "Blessed 
are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord;  from  henceforth,  yea  saith 
the  spirit,  they  rest  from  their  labors,  and  their  works  do  fol- 
low them.'' 


WILLIAM    31 AR SHALL.  103 


WILLIAM     MARSHALL. 


William  Marshall  was  born  in  the  Northern  neck,  1735. 
His  connexions  were  highly  respectable,  he  being  an  uncle  of 
Chief  Justice  Marshall.  In  early  life  he  was  remarkable  for 
his  devotion  to  the  fashionable  amusements  of  the  day.  His 
tall,  graceful  form,  dark  piercing  eye,  and  engaging  manners, 
rendered  him  the  pride  of  the  circle  in  which  he  moved.  Until 
he  reached  years  of  maturity,  he  continued  a  neglector  of  God, 
and  his  salvation,  having  had  very  few  opportunities  of  hearing 
the  gospel,  in  its  purity,  proclaimed.  In  the  year  1768,  he 
was  providentially  brought  under  the  ministry  of  those,  who 
were  then  called  New  Lights,  and  became  the  subject  of  deep 
concern.  So  great  was  his  distress,  that,  for  a  time,  he  des- 
paired of  salvation.  But  the  Lord,  in  mercy,  took  his  feet  out 
of  the  miry  clay,  and  put  a  new  song  in  his  mouth.  This  oc- 
curred in  the  county  of  Fauquier.  He  soon  joined  the  Baptists, 
and  entered  the  field  of  ministerial  labor. 

The  conversion  of  this  votary  of  fashion,  excited  the  surprise 
of  many.  Especially  were  they  amazed,  that  an  individual  of 
so  much  distinction,  should  have  united  with  a  sect,  every 
where  spoken  against.  His  ministry  was  attended  by  crowds, 
most  of  his  auditors  were  prompted  by  curiosity,  desiring  to 
hear  what  the  convert  would  say  respecting  the  change  he  had 
experienced.  Others  went,  supposing  him  to  be  deranged,  and 
a  i'cw,  to  mock  and  oppose  him.     He  however  was  undaunted; 

"His  tongue  broke  out  in  unknown  strains, 
And  sung  surprising  grace." 

The  word  preached,  was  not  in  vain,  but  was  attended  with 
the  Holy  Ghost,  sent  down  from  heaven.  One  of  the  most 
remarkable  seasons  of  the  ingathering  of  souls,  which  Virginia 
has  ever  known,  resulted  from  his  labors.  The  enemies  of  the 
truth  were  much  enraged,  and  determined,  if  possible,  to  arrest 


104  BIOGRAPHY.    OF 

the  march  of  this  new  doctrine;  they  seized  Mr.  M.,  and  at- 
tempted to  put  him  in  prison,  but  his  brother,  Col.  Thomas 
Marshall,  interfered,  and  succeeded  in  obtaining  his  release. 
He  continued  to  preach  in  the  county  of  Fauquier,  with  una- 
bated  zeal  and  success.  Among  the  seals  to  his  ministry,  were 
John  Taylor  and  Joseph  Reding,  who  afterwards  became  popu- 
lar and  useful  laborers  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  He  after- 
wards visited  the  county  of  Shenandoah,  and  there  preached 
with  equal  success.  Thousands  came  to  see  and  hear  him.  ft 
is  said,  that  large  congregations  would  stand  in  deep  snow, 
with  the  utmost  patience,  while  he  declared  to  them,  the 
unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.  The  first  baptism  in  the  wa. 
tersof  the  Shenandoah  was  performed  by  Elder  Samuel  Harriss 
in  1770.  At  this  time,  as  the  result  principally  of  Marshall's 
labors,  fifty-three  went  down  into  the  liquid  grave,  and  were  thus 
buried  with  their  adorable  Lord  in  that  ordinance. 

For  several  years  he  continued  his  itinerant  labors.  Indeed, 
at  that  time,  he  was  scarcely  qualified  for  any  other  than  the 
work  of  an  evangelist.  The  burden  of  his  discourses  was, 
"repent  and  believe  the  gospel."  Surrounded  by  a  moral  wil- 
derness, he  saw  the  necessity  of  clearing  the  ground,  before 
it  could  become  a  fruitful  field.  There  had  not  been  time  to 
investigate  the  mysteries  of  the  gospel,  or  to  prepare  him- 
self for  expounding  the  word  of  God.  His  chief  object  was  to 
warn  men  of  the  danger  of  living  and  dying  in  sin,  and  the 
necessity  of  turning  to  the  Lord,  through  Jesus  Christ.  He 
was  one  of  the  most  alarming  preachers,  who  ever  raised  their 
voices  in  Virginia.  However,  after  a  length  of  time  had 
elapsed,  he  became  the  pastor  of  Happy  creek  church.  This 
station  he  occupied  but  a  short  time.  In  1780  he  removed  to 
Kentucky,  and  settled  in  what  is  now  called  Shelby  county. 
Shortly  after  this,  by  a  fall  from  his  horse,  he  was  so  disabled 
as  to  disqualify  him  for  preaching,  a  considerable  time.  During 
this  confinement,  he  found  leisure  for  reading  and  meditation, 
and  when  he  recovered,  he  was  much  more  doctrinal,  and  sys- 
tematic in  his  pulpit  efforts.     His  broken  bones  were  imperfectly 


JOHN    CORBLKY.  105 

united,  and  in  consequence  he  suffered  much  pain.  Notwith- 
standing this,  he  travelled  extensively,  and  preached  with  his 
wonted  zeal.  "It  was,''  says  a  cotemporary  preacher,  "inter- 
esting to  see  this  old  man  assisted  to  the  stand,  and  propped  up 
by  his  friends,  and  to  hear  him  pour  forth  the  most  delightful 
strains  of  gospel  truth.  His  strong  mind,  deep  research,  and 
prayerful  spirit,  well  qualified  him  to  clear  the  subjects  he  dis- 
cussed, of  all  ambiguity.  He  was  rather  inclined  to  consider 
the  command  to  wash  the  disciples'  feet,  &c.  as  obligatory  on 
all  Christians. 

He  was  a  man  of  much  prayer;  when  travelling  in  company 
with  his  brothren,  he  was  fond  of  alighting  from  his  horse,  and 
with  them  presenting  supplications  to  the  mercy  seat.  As  he 
advanced  to  the  close  of  life,  he  grew  in  grace,  and  became 
more  conformed  to  the  divine  image.  He  died  in  1808,  in  the 
seventy-third  year  of  his  age,   and  in  the  hope  of  immortal  life. 


JOHN    C  0  R  B  L  E  Y, 


John  Corbley  was  born  in  Great  Britain  in  1773,  and 
while  a  boy,  agreed  to  serve  four  years  for  his  passage  to 
Pennsylvania.  When  his  time  expired,  he  removed  to  Win- 
chester, Virginia,  and  ultimately  to  Berkely  county:  here,  in 
a  conversation  with  Elder  Garrard,  he  was  awakened  to  a 
sense  of  his  lost  condition.  He  was  baptized  by  Mr.  Garrard, 
and  began  to  preach.  Becoming  conspicuous  as  a  leader 
among  the  Baptists,  the  enemies  of  the  cross  considered  him 
worthy  of  a  prison.  He  was  accordingly  put  into  Culpepper 
jail,  where  he  staid  a  considerable  time.  Here  he  was  ex- 
ceedingly useful.  He  was  regularly  in  the  habit  of  preaching 
from  the  windows  of  his  prison,  the  gospel  of  peace.  After 
his  liberation,  he  suffered  in  various  methods,  being  often 
threatened  with  death.  Not  unfrequently  was  he  taken  from 
the  pulpit,  and  cruelly  beaten,  after  having  been  dragged  from 
10 


106  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

place  to  place.  The  exact  year  in  which  he  was  imprisoned, 
is  not  known,  but  it  was  probably  previous  to  1770,  for  in  1769 
he  was  a  delegate  from  Mountain  run  church,  in  Culpepper,  to 
the  Ketockton  Association,  and  acted  as  their  clerk.  His 
name  does  not  appear  on  the  minutes  again,  until  1775,  when 
he  comes  as  the  representative  of  a  church  called  Goshen,  in 
Redstone  settlement,  Pennsylvania.  It  appears  that  he  had 
moved  there  several  years  previous  to  this,  and  in  conjunction 
with  Isaac  Sutton,  had  planted  the  first  three  or  four  churches 
in  the  Redstone  settlement. 

His  first  wife  was  a  papist,  and  was  married  to  him  previous 
to  his  profession  of  religion.  She  proved  a  thorn  in  his  side, 
during  her  life.  She  died,  and  he  married  a  most  amiable 
woman,  by  whom  he  had  several  children.  But  how  delusory 
is  all  earthly  bliss!  The  Indians,  for  many  years,  were  exceed- 
ingly troublesome  in  the  Redstone  country.  Mr.  Corbley  and 
his  wife  and  children,  on  a  Sunday  morning,  started  to  walk 
to  the  meeting-house,  less  than  half  a  mile  from  his  house. 
After  going  a  small  distance,  it  was  found  that  his  bible,  which 
he  had  given  his  wife  to  carry,  had  been  forgotten.  He  went 
back  after  it.  On  his  return  to  overtake  his  family,  he  saw 
two  Indians  running,  one  of  whom  made  a  direful  yell.  He 
suspected  an  attack,  and  ran  to  a  fort,  about  half  a  mile  off, 
and  obtained  assistance.  When  they  came  to  the  place,  he 
found  his  wife  killed  with  a  tomahawk,  and  the  infant  which 
she  had  in  her  arms,  thrown  across  her  breast,  with  its  brains 
dashed  out  against  a  tree.  Three  of  the  other  children  were 
killed,  and  two  scalped  and  wounded,  that  afterwards  recover- 
ed. Only  one,  a  little  girl,  escaped  unhurt.  She  was  attack- 
ed, but  a  dog  seized  the  Indian  that  was  pursuing  her,  by 
which  she  got  into  the  bushes,  and  hid  herself.  The  feelings 
of  Mr.  Corbley,  on  this  afflicting  occasion,  are  beyond  descrip- 
tion. He  fell  into  a  melancholy  state  of  mind,  during  which 
he  could  not  preach,  or  scarcely  do  any  thing  else.  Reflect- 
ing, at  length,  that  the  hand  of  Providence  was  visible  in  the 
preservation  of  his  own  life,  he  took  courage,  and  re-commenc- 


JOHN    CORELEY.  107 

ed  his  labors.  His  ministry  was  very  effectual  in  that  country, 
though  thinly  settled,  he  baptized  three  or  four  hundred  per- 
sons. He  was  a  man  of  great  gifts,  and  esteemed  by  most,  a 
very  pious  Christian.  His  success  drew  upon  him  the  resent- 
ment of  the  wicked,  which  they  vented  in  a  very  diabolical 
manner.  A  base  woman  accused  hi  in  of  making  frequent 
criminal  proposals  to  her,  and  offered  to  confirm  it  by  a  solemn 
oath.  Although  he  kne>v  it  to  be  false,  and  the  church  did 
not  believe  it,  yet  he  thought  it  best  to  remain  silent,  and  not 
preach,  until  it  could,  by  some  means,  be  cleared  up.  The 
woman  was  cited  to  appear  before  a  magistrate,  in  order  to 
swear  her  to  what  she  affirmed,  and  in  the  mean  time,  the 
church  earnestly  engaged  in  prayer.  When  she  came  before 
the  magistrate,  she  was  taken  with  a  trembling,  and  for  some 
time  remained  speechless.  Some  wished  to  excuse  her,  and 
let  it  pass  of;  but  Mr.  Corbley  insisted  on  her  swearing,  which 
she  did,  and  expressly  declared  his  innocence,  and  said  it  was 
2.  plot  laid  by  certain  persons  whom  she  named. 

He  was  sick  but  a  short  time,  previous  to  his  decease.  On 
the  9th  of  June,  1803,  the  day  of  his  death,  he  had  an  appoint- 
ment to  preach;  but  being  ill,  his  brethren  and  friends  met  at 
his  dwelling,  when,  as  well  as  he  could,  he  addressed  them. 
A  few  minutes  previous  to  his  departure,  he  asked  for  his 
hymn  book,  read,  and  sung  a  few  lines.  Thus  this  man  of 
God  ended  his  ministerial  labors,  leaving  this  world  in  the  tri- 
umphs of  faith.  A  large  connection  of  relations,  and  brethren 
in  Christ,  survived  to  lament  their  loss, — but  their  loss  was  his 
gain.  His  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Elder  David  Phil- 
lips, from  Rev.  xiv,  13:  "Blessed  are  the  dead,  which  die 
in  the  Lord  from  henceforth;  yea  saith  the  spirit,  that  they 
may  rest  from  their  labors,  and  their  works  do  follow  them.'' 
He  was  buried  with  the  following  inscription  on  his  tombstone: 

Death,  thou  hast  conquered  me, 

I  by  thy  dart  am  slain; 
But  Jesus  Christ  shall  conquer  thee, 

And  I  shall  rise  again. 


108  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

In  the  course  of  his  ministry,  he  had  two  public  debates  on 
the  subject  of  baptism,  one  with  a  Methodist  minister  by  the 
name  of  Cook,  and  the  other  with  a  Mr.  John  Armstrong,  a 
presbyterian.  In  both  cases  he  ably  defended  the  views  of  the 
Baptists,  greatly  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Baptist  churches, 
and  to  the  advantage  of  the  cause  of  truth.  Subsequently,  he 
wrote  an  able  defence  of  believers'  baptism,  in  a  pamphlet  of 
some  size,  in  answer  to  the  above  named  Mr.  Cook. 

Mr.  Corbley,  though  a  good  preacher,  was  thought  to  do 
more  good  out  of  the  pulpit  than  in  it.  He  generally,  after 
preaching,  mingled  with  the  congregation,  and,  by  singing  and 
exhortation,  frequently  made  very  serious  impressions.  He 
was  greatly  beloved  as  a  Christian  and  minister.  His  senti- 
ments were  Calvinistic,  being  opposed  alike  to  Arminianism 
and  fatalism.  Among  the  churches  formed  through  his  instru- 
mentality, two  or  more  are  in  Virginia. 


ELIJAH    BAKER, 

The  biography  of  Elijah  Baker  will,  no  doubt,  be  read 
with  special  interest,  in  many  portions  of  our  state,  on  account 
of  the  wide  range  he  was  allowed  to  take  in  preaching  the  gos- 
pel of  Christ.  A  brief  review  of  his  life  may  be  profitable  to  all, 
in  illustrating  how  much  may  be  done  by  one  man,  who  with 
singleness  of  purpose,  and  energy  of  action,  consecrates  his 
talents  to  the  good  of  his  fellow  men. 

Elder  Baker  was  born  in  Lunenburg  county,  in  1742.  That 
no  flesh  may  glory  in  his  presence,  God  often  selects  the  weak 
things  of  the  world,  to  confound  the  things  that  are  mighty. 
His  purposes  are  not  unfrcquently  effected  by  instruments  com- 
paratively insignificant.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born 
of  humble  parentage,  and  the  earlier  years  of  his  life  were 
spent  in  obscurity.  He  very  soon  exhibited  an  ardent  tempera- 
ment, which  led  him  into  the  indulgence  of  many  popular  vices. 


ELIJAH    BAKER.  109 

He  was  a  lover  of  pleasure,  more  than  a  lover  of  God.  But  He 
who  is  rich  in  mercy,  checked  him  in  his  course  of  sensuality, 
and  gave  a  new  direction  to  his  desires.  He  became,  at  first, 
the  subject  of  partial  reformation,  and  an  attentive  hearer  of 
the  gospel.  Though  convinced  of  his  guilt  and  danger,  the 
struggle  between  his  own  heart,  and  the  humbling  requisitions 
of  the  divine  word,  was  long  and  desperate.  Determinations 
were  frequently  formed  to  abandon  forever  his  sinful  pursuits, 
but  as  often  were  they  broken.  Increasing  anguish  of  mind 
was  the  result.  He  was  at  length  as  an  humble,  dependent 
rebel,  brought  to  the  feet  of  Christ.  There  he  found  relief. 
Thenceforward  he  contemplated  himself  as  a  recovered  sinner, 
and,  constrained  by  the  love  of  a  Saviour,  began  to  speak  his 
praise.  His  perceptions  of  the  plan  of  salvation,  were  at  first 
obscure,  in  consequence  of  which  he  suffered  much  depression. 
But  as  lie  became  acquainted  with  Christ,  and  him  crucified, 
his  reliance  was  more  simple  and  consoling. 

Having  found  the  Redeemer  precious  to  his  heart,  he  could 
not  be  satisfied  until  he  had  publicly  made  known  what  the 
Lord  had  done  for  him.  He  was  baptized  by  Elder  Harriss, 
in  1769,  and  united  with  the  Meherrin  church,  in  the  county 
of  Lunenburg. 

Immediately  after  his  baptism,  he  began  to  recommend  Him, 
in  whom  he  had  found  so  much  consolation.  His  talents  were 
not  of  the  most  promising  character,  and  yet  he  could  not  be 
repressed  in  directing  others  to  the  foundation  in  Zion.  There 
was  soon  developed  such  a  spirit,  and  his  gifts  so  far  improved 
by  exercise,  as  to  warrant  the  church  to  set  him  apart  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry.  He  was  soon  invited  to  take  charge  of 
Malones  church,  Mecklenburg  county,  which  invitation  he 
accepted.  The  pastoral  connexion  was  retained  about  twelve 
mouths,  when  he  relinquished  this  field  of  labor,  and  became 
an  itinerant.  He  gave  himself  wholly  to  the  work  of  publish- 
ing salvation,  for  several  years;  during  which  time  he  travelled 
extensively  throughout  eastern  Virginia,  It  is  doubtful  whether 
anv  other  man  in  the  state,  has  been  as  successful  within  the 
10* 


110  BIOGRAPHY   OF 

same  length  of  time.  Through  his  instrumentality,  all  the 
churches  between  Hampton  and  Richmond  city,  were  origin- 
ated, and  several  on  the  eastern  shore.  His  efforts  in  the 
counties  of  Henrico,  New  Kent,  &c.  down  to  Warwick,  were 
of  the  most  indefatigable  kind.  In  this  region  he  spent  the 
year  1773,  and  the  two  following  years.  He  labored  also  in 
the  county  of  Gloucester. 

As  he  was  afterwards  permanently  settled, on  the  eastern 
shore,  it  will  be  interesting  to  notice  his  early  efforts  among 
the  people  of  that  region.  He  was  invited  thither  by  a  Mr. 
Elliot,  of  Gloucester,  who  having,  under  the  influence  of  Elder 
Baker's  preaching,  been  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth, 
was  deeply  anxious  that  those  among  whom  he  formerly  lived, 
should  be  partakers  of  the  gospel  hope. 

It  was  his  privilege  to  be  the  first  Baptist  preacher  who  had 
visited  that  shore.  Much  attention  was  excited  in  all  the 
neighborhoods  he  visited,  as  both  the  manner  and  matter  of 
his  addresses  were  novel.  The  first  discourse  he  delivered 
seems  to  have  been  productive  of  much  good.  He  attended  on 
Easter  Sunday,  one  of  the  established  churches,  as  a  hearer. 
The  Episcopal  minister  failed  to  attend.  He  then  informed  the 
congregation,  that  if  they  would  allow  him,  he  would  address 
them  himself.  They  consented.  Finding  a  slight  elevation 
near  the  road,  he  preached  in  the  open  air,  with  great  warmth, 
a  plain  gospel  sermon.  Considerable  excitement  was  the  result. 
Some  were  offended  with  the  faithfulness  of  the  new  preacher; 
others  expressed  astonishment  at  the  unction  with  which  he 
delivered  his  message,  and  some  returned  deeply  affected.  Such 
was  the  interest  produced  in  all  that  region,  that  when  a  few 
weeks  after  he  made  another  visit,  the  parson  had  given  notice 
he  would  prove  the  Baptists  to  be  in  error.  Elder  Baker  was 
one  of  his  hearers,  and  afterward,  day  and  night,  for  more  than 
a  week,  he  continued  to  preach  the  gospel  of  Christ.  His 
ministry  was  attended  by  listening  crowds,  many  of  whom 
were  baptized  by  him.  Such  were  the  indications  of  the  di- 
vine blessing,  that  Elder  Baker  concluded  it  was  his  duty  to 


ELIJAH    BAKER.  Ill 

accept  the  pressing  invitation  he  received,  to  settle  among  this 
people.  A  short  time  previous,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Sarah  Copeland,  a  lady  of  respectable  connexions.  He 
became  a  resident  of  Northampton  county,  and  in  1778  took 
charge  of  the  lower  Northampton  church.  He  continued  his 
exertions  on  the  eastern  shore,  both  of  Maryland  and  Virginia, 
and  was  the  principal  instrument  in  building  up  several 
churcues,  and  of  bringing  into  the  work  of  the  ministry  several 
who  had  united  with  the  people  of  God.  It  was  at  length 
thought  proper  to  organize  a  new  association;  and,  in  1782, 
the  messengers  of  the  churches  having  assembled  at  Salisbury, 
they  formed  themselves  into  the  Salisbury  Association.  In 
1808,  a  division  took  place  for  the  sake  of  convenience,  and 
the  churches  on  the  Virginia  side  of  the  eastern  shore,  were 
constituted  into  what  is  called  the  Accomac  Association. 

It  might  be  expected  that  such  a  course  of  successful  labor 
would  meet  with  opposition.  At  one  period  the  hostility  which 
the  servants  of  Jesus  experienced,  was  of  the  most  determined 
character.  Elder  Baker  was  counted  worthy  to  share  in  this 
hostility.  He  realized  the  most  cruel  treatment.  For  several 
days  he  was  confined  in  the  Accomac  jail.  None  of  these 
things  moved  him.  He  not  only  maintained  his  steadfastness, 
but  increased  in  activity  and  boldness,  in  preaching  Christ  and 
him  crucified. 

The  following  fact  stated  by  Elder  Semple,  deserves  a  place 
here; — showing,  as  it  does,  the  recklessness  of  that  enmity 
which  was  cherished  against  him,  and  the  spirit  he  exhibited 
in  securing  every  opportunity  of  doing  good  to  the  souls  of 
men:  "The  mo6t  atrocious  attempt  to  persecute,  was  that  of 
seizing  him  by  a  lawless  power,  and  carrying  him  on  board  a 
vessel,  in  the  adjacent  waters,  where  they  left  him — having 
contracted  with  the  captain  to  make  him  work  his  passage  over 
the  seas,  and  then  leave  him  in  some  of  the  countries  in  Eu- 
rope; alleging,  that  he  was  a  disturber  of  the  peace.  This 
took  place  on  Saturday  night.  He  was  immediately  put  to 
work,  and  kept  at  it  until  late  at  night.     The  next  day,  being 


112  BIOGRAPHY   OP 

Sunday,  he  asked  and  obtained  leave  of  the  captain  to  sing  and 
pray  among  the  crew.  The  captain  attended;  and  was  con- 
vinced that  he  was  a  good  man.  Without  delay  he  set  him 
on  shore.  In  the  mean  time,  his  friends  had  dispatched  a 
messenger  to  the  governor,  to  obtain  authority  to  prevent  his 
being  carried  forcibly  away.  This  they  obtained;  but  Mr.  B. 
was  discharged  before  his  return." 

Mr.  Leland,  in  a  letter  to  Robert  B.  Semple,  thus  alludes  to 
the  history  of  this  man  of  God:  "Is  it  possible  for  you  to 
get  the  biography  of  Elijah  Baker?  He  began  his  career  in 
Mecklenburg,  or  near  that  place:  was  cotemporary  with  John 
Williams,  and  first  ordained  in  a  church  of  that  county:  then 
came  to  Boar  swamp,  and,  with  J.  Anthony,  planted  that  church : 
then  to  Charles  city,  James  city,  and  York,  where  he  also 
planted  churches;  thence  he  crossed  the  Mockjack  bay,  and 
did  the  like  in  a  part  of  Gloucester,  called  Guina:  thence  over 
the  bay  to  the  eastern  shore  of  Virginia  and  Maryland,  where 
he  constituted  the  first  ten  Baptist  churches  in  those  parts. 
He  was  a  man  of  humble  parentage,  small  learning,  and  con- 
fined abilities.  But  with  one  talent,  he  did  more  than  many 
do  with  five.  If  justice  could  be  done  his  memory,  the  detail 
would  make  a  rich  page  in  your  intended  history.  At  the  last 
Salisbury  Association,  which  he  attended  when  nearly  worn 
out  with  disease,  at  the  close  of  the  meeting  he  addressed  the 
audience  in  a  manner  as  if  heaven  and  earth  were  coming  to- 
gether; then,  returning  to  Mr.  Lemon's,  soon  died.'' 

Elder  Baker  did  not  live  to  an  advanced  age.  For  many 
months  his  health  was  extremely  feeble,  preventing  him,  in  a 
great  measure,  from  the  pursuance  of  his  ministerial  labor. 
To  the  close  of  life,  however,  he  was  employed  to  the  utmost 
of  his  ability.  He  had  attained  a  high  elevation  of  Christian 
character;  and  his  path  like  the  shining  light,  continued  to 
shine  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day.  The  state  of  his 
mind,  a  few  weeks  before  his  death,  will  be  evinced  in  the  fol- 
lowing brief  extract  of  a  letter,  written  by  him  to  his  brother 
Elder   Leonard   Baker,  who   was   then  pastor  of  Musterfield 


ELIJAH    BAKER.  113 

church,  Halifax  county.  "And  now,  brother,  are  you  strug- 
gling through  the  trials  of  this  life,  leaning  upon  your  beloved? 
Are  you  laboring  and  waiting  for  the  coming  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
who  shall  change  our  vile  bodies  and  fashion  them  according 
to  his  glorious  body?  Or  have  you  sunk  into  a  lukewarm  state? 
which,  I  fear,  has  been  the  fact  with  some.  Dear  brother, 
some  of  my  complaints  are  such,  that  I  do  not  expect  to  con- 
tinue long  in  this  world.  However,  1  leave  that  to  my  dear 
Redeemer,  who  has  the  power  of  life  and  death  in  his  own 
hands.  In  all  probability,  I  shall  never  be  able  to  go  out  as 
far  as  your  house  again:  yet  I  should  be  very  glad  to  see  you 
if  you  could  make  it  convenient  to  come  over  once  more  while 
I  live.  I  will  pay  all  your  expenses.  If  our  dear  mother  is 
yet  alive,  I  can  send  out  some  relief  to  her.  As  to  religion, 
thanks  be  to  God!  there  is  some  little  stir  among  us.  I  have 
baptized  eight  lately." 

His  brother  had  the  privilege  of  reaching  the  eastern  shore 
before  his  dismission  from  earth.  His  death  was  peaceful;  it 
took  place  November  6,  1798,  in  the  56th  year  of  his  age. 
The  following  testimony,  given  by  Dr.  Lemon,  (at  whose 
house  he  died,  deserves  to  be  recorded:  "In  Mr.  Baker  I  found 
the  Israelite  indeed,  the  humble  Christian;  the  preacher  of  the 
gospel  in  the  simplicity  of  it;  and  the  triumphant  saint,  in  his 
last  moments.  In  his  preaching  he  was  very  plain,  and  gen- 
erally experimental:  always  very  express  on  the  doctrine  of 
regeneration;  never  entering  upon  the  doctrines  by  which  he 
conceived  he  should  give  offence  to  one  or  another.  In  his 
last  illness,  I  attended  his  bed-side,  day  and  night,  for  three 
weeks;  and  had  many  most  agreeable  conversations  with  him, 
on  the  glorious  things  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  He  retained 
his  senses  to  the  last  minute;  and  seemed  rather  translated, 
than  to  suffer  pain  in  his  dissolution.  Death  was  to  him  as 
familiar  in  his  conversation,  as  if  he  talked  of  an  absent  friend 
from  whom  he  expected  a  visit." 


114  BIOGRAPHY    OF 


JAMES     IRELAND 


James  Ireland  was  born  in  the  city  of  Edinburg,  in  1748, 
He  was  early  sent  to  school  by  his  father,  who  intended  to 
give  him  a  thorough  education.  Considerable  proficiency  was 
made  in  the  Latin  language,  and  other  branches  of  learning, 
but  before  he  had  completed  his  course,  he  contracted  a  strong 
prejudice  against  study,  which  retarded  his  progress,  and  ren- 
dered his  education  defective.  Being  rather  inclined  to  a  ro- 
mantic temper,  after  he  left  school,  his  father  decided  on  send- 
ing him  to  sea,  with  the  hope  that  this  propensity  would  be 
cured,  and  that  he  might  be  induced  to  turn  his  attention 
steadily  to  business.  Several  voyages  to  the  northern  seas 
were  taken,  during  which  he  was  exposed  to  imminent  perils. 
Frequently  he  experienced  such  marked  providential  interfer- 
ences, as  were  well  suited  to  awaken  grateful  en;otions  towards 
his  almighty  deliverer,  but  his  heart  remained  callous.  After 
his  return  from  these  voyages,  in  consequence  of  some  indis- 
cretion, he  left  his  father's  house,  and  embarked  for  America. 
With  regard  to  this,  he  says,  "1  consider  my  removal  as  the 
most  auspicious  epoch  of  my  life.  It  pleased  my  great  de- 
liverer to  bring  good  out  of  evil.  True  it  is,  on  my  first  ar- 
rival in  Virginia,  and  for  a  kw  years  after,  this  now  happy 
country  groaned  under  the  tyranny  of  a  rigorous  religious  in- 
tolerance, but  it  soon  pleased  the  giver  of  all  good,  through 
the  instrumentality  of  the  revolution,  to  burst  asunder  the 
bands  of  oppression." 

On  his  arrival  in  America,  he  took  charge  of  a  school  in 
the  northern  part  of  Virginia.  At  this  time  he  had  not  the 
fear  of  God  before  his  eyes.  In  the  new  settlement  where  he 
lived,  as  he  states,  "there  was  not  the  least  respect  for  the 
Sabbath,  except  among  a  few  Quakers,  who,  on  that  day, 
would  meet  at  a  certain  house,  and  pursue  their  mode  of  wor- 
ship."   Their  practice  had  some  effect  on  his  mind,  and  brought 


JAMES    IKKLAND.  115 

to  his  recollection,  the  scenes  of  his  childhood.     When  under 
the  direction  of  his   parents,  he  was  taught   to  venerate  the 
Lord's  day,  and  to  believe  in  the  necessity  of  conversion.     In 
thinking  of  the   past,  he  would   sometimes  weep  and   pray  to 
God  to  have  mercy  on   him.     But   these  impressions   were  of 
short  duration.     "I  could  soon,''  he  says,  "join  in  the  wicked 
amusements  of  those  around  me,  without   remorse,  and    being 
of  an  aspiring  disposition,  it  did  not  suit  my  taste,  to  be  a  com- 
mon accomplice   with  them,  but   an  active  leader  in  all  their 
practices  of  wickedness,  so  that  it   might  be  said  of  me,  as  in 
Isaiah,  'I  drew  iniquity  with  the  cords  of  vanity,  and  sin,  as  it 
were,  with  a  cart-rope.'  During  the  year  that  I  resided  in  those 
parts,  I  cannot  recollect  that  ever  I  experienced   any  remorse 
of  conscience,  excepting  in  one  instance,  so  wretched  and  har- 
dened   had  I  become.     I   possessed  certain   qualifications   by 
which  1  could    accommodate   myself  to  every   company;  with 
the  religious,  I  could  moralize  a  little;  with  the  well-bred  I  could 
be  polite;    with   the   merry,   I   could   be  antic;  and   with   the 
obscene,  I  could  be  profane.     I  may  say,  with  great  propriety, 
that  I  was  engaged  to  treasure  up  unto  myself,  wrath  against 
the  day  of  wrath  and  revelation  of  the   righteous  judgment  of 
God    to   come.       The  god  of  this  world   had   so  blinded  my 
understanding,  that  comparing  my  pleasures  in   sin,   with  my 
confused  ideas  of  the  happiness  of  heaven,  I  often  thought  1 
would  not  have  desired  the  happiness  of  the  saints  above,  if 
God  would  have  allowed  me  to  enjoy  it.    I  was  not  only  willing 
to  be  wicked,  but  studied  to  be  so.     Profane  jest  books  I  pro- 
cured, to  improve  me  in  vice,   and  never  could  I   hear  a  perti- 
nent answer,    as  would  non-plus  an  opponent  in  folly,  without 
studying  a  variety  of  answers.'' 

Such,  according  to  his  own  language,  was  the  deplorable 
condition  of  this  youth.  But  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  had 
determined  to  pluck  him  as  a  brand  from  the  burning.  He  had 
been  accustomed,  for  the  gratification  of  those  around  him,  to 
indulge  a  poetic  talent,  which  it  was  thought  he  possessed.  A 
pious  young  man,  who  had  before  evinced  some  desire  to  be  of 


116  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

spiritual  advantage  to  him,  presented  a  request  that  he  would 
compose  a  few  lines  on  a  religious  subject.  Having  complied, 
his  second  composition,  on  "the  natural  man's  dependence  for 
heaven,"  was  the  means  of  his  own  conviction.  He  became 
deeply  concerned  about  the  salvation  of  his  soul,  having  per- 
ceived that  all  his  former  dependences  for  heaven,  were  unten- 
able. For  some  time  he  continued  in  an  unhappy  state  of 
mind.  Referring  to  his  feelings,  he  remarks,  "The  deep  im- 
pression upon  my  soul  had  a  very  considerable  influence  upon 
my  exterior  appearance;  that  wild  vivacity  that  flushed  in  my 
eyes,  and  natural  cheerfulness  that  appeared  in  my  countenance, 
were  entirely  gone,  my  flesh  began  to  pine  away,  my  ruddy 
cheeks  had  vanished,  and  all  that  remained  was  a  solemn, 
gloomy  paleness,  while  my  head  was  often  hanging  down,  like 
a  bulrush,  under  the  internal  pressure  of  my  guilty  state." 
After  many  painful  apprehensions,  and  much  reading  of  the 
word  of  God,  he  was  at  length  brought  to  behold  the  beauty 
and  sufficiency  of  Christ.  "My  head,''  he  observed,  "was  like 
a  well  of  water,  while  the  tears  ran  down  for  several  hours, 
without  intermission,  and  of  all  the  tears  1  ever  shed,  these 
were  the  sweetest.  My  hard  heart  was  melted  into  contrition, 
while  I  was  laid  low  in  the  dust  before  God,  under  the  sweet 
impression  of  his  goodness  to  me." 

The  change  which  took  place  in  his  feelings  and  life,  was 
blessed  of  the  Lord,  to  the  conversion  of  others.  During  this 
time  they  had  not  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  hearing  the  gospel 
preached.  Shortly  after,  Elder  John  Picket,  being  informed 
of  these  instances  of  redeeming  mercy,  rode  sixty  miles  to  visit 
the  neighborhood,  and  dispense  to  them  the  word  of  life.  He 
remained  two  days  preaching  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Ireland,  and 
to  him  it  was  indeed  the  sincere  milk  of  the  word.  He  divulg- 
ed his  feelings  freely  to  Elder  Picket,  and  received  from  him 
advice,  suited  to  his  circumstances. 

On  leaving,  Elder  Picket  promised  again  to  visit  and  preach 
to  them.  When  the  time  of  the  next  appointment  arrived,  he 
was  prevented,  by  unavoidable  circumstances,  from  complying 


JAMES    IRELAND.  117 

with  his  engagement.  The  congregation  having  met,  a  con- 
sultation was  held  among  the  few  pious  persons  who  were  pres- 
ent, and  it  was  determined  that  Mr.  Ireland  should  address  the 
people.  He  thus  describes  his  first  attempt:  "About  twelve 
o'clock,  a  tolerably  large  congregation  were  met.  In  depend- 
ence on  God,  and  in  fear  and  much  trembling,  I  went  forward. 
Worship  was  introduced  by  singing  the  hymn,  'Let  me  but 
hear  my  Saviour  say.'  The  hymn  was  expressive  of  the  real 
exercises  of  my  heart.  After  prayer  I  addressed  the  people, 
from  John  iii,  3,  My  heart  was  greatly  enlarged,  my  zeal  in- 
flamed, and  my  desires  ran  out,  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  in 
such  a  manner,  that  I  have  often  thought,  could  I  have  had 
twenty  tongues  to  employ,  that  day,  there  would  have  been 
matter  for  them  all.  I  dare  not  say  but  I  had  some  sweet 
thoughts  that  God  would  bring  me  into  the  ministry,  but  against 
them  I  struggled,  and  would  not  give  them  entertainment  in  my 
heart,  under  the  apprehension  that  they  were  the  production 
of  pride.  However,  it  was  a  day  full  of  comfort  to  us,  who 
were  banded  together  in  love,  and  also  of  deep  humility  to  my- 
self." 

He  continued  to  speak  in  public,  as  opportunity  allowed,  for 
some  time,  before  he  united  with  any  church.  Indeed  there 
was  no  church  within  his  reach.  Those  who,  with  him,  had 
been  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  were  accustomed 
regularly  to  meet,  and  receive  instruction  at  his  hands,  although 
they  had  not  submitted  to  the  ordinances.  But  when  they 
understood  "the  way  of  God  more  perfectly,"  they  determined 
to  follow  Christ  in  baptism,  and  be  regularly  constituted  into  a 
church. 

Having  been  educated  a  Presbyterian,  Mr.  Ireland  was  not 
easily  convinced  of  the  obligation  to  be  baptized.  In  his  own 
words,  the  manner  in  which  he  was  led  to  discover  his  duty,  is 
thus  described:  "A  circumstance  among  our  little  society,  on 
Smith's  creek,  produced  a  degree  of  anxiety,  for  a  short  time, 
but  happily  terminated  to  our  satisfaction.  The  circumstance 
related  to  myself.  The  work  of  God,  through  the  colony,  was, 
11 


118  BIOGRAPHY      OF 

at  that  time,  principally  carried  on  under  the  ministry  of  the 
Baptists,  then  distinguished  by  the  appellation  of  Regulars,  and 
Separates.  Both  parties  were  Calvinistic  in  their  sentiments, 
and  our  little  body  was  disposed  to  join  with  them  by  submit- 
ting to  the  rules  of  their  society.  We  were  fully  persuaded 
that  their  baptism  was  right,  according  to  the  example  of  Jesus 
Christ,  and  the  practice  of  his  apostles. 

"In  this  point  they  were  all  of  one  heart  and  one  mind,  myself 
only  excepted.  I  was  still  tenacious  of  the  old  mode  of  sprink- 
ling, according  to  the  Presbyterian  plan.  They  apprehended, 
that  if  ever  any  minister  was  raised  among  them,  I  would  be 
the  individual,  and  if  I  continued  under  that  persuasion,  it 
would  create  a  difficulty.  This,  no  doubt,  occasioned  many 
prayers  to  be  sent  up  to  the  throne  of  grace,  that  I  might  be 
convinced  of  my  error  in  this  respect.  Discovering  the  uneasi- 
ness that  existed  among  them,  t  was  led  to  search  the  scrip- 
tures impartially,  and  in  a  short  time  it  pleased  God  to  remove 
the  scales  from  my  eyes,  and  "give  me  to  see  that  I  must  be  a 
partaker  of  the  grace  of  faith  in  Christ,  before  I  could  be 
qualified  to  obey  the  ordinance  of  his  institution.  The  appli- 
cation was  very  powerful,  so  that  nothing  could  erase  it  from 
my  heart;  I  determined  at  once  to  obey  Christ,  by  following 
him  into  the  water,  and  thus  put  him  on  professionally.  All 
being  now  united  together  in  one  mind,  and  one  judgment,  and 
possessing  a  warm  zeal  for  the  glory  of  our  Redeemer,  we 
wished  to  know  which  of  the  two  bodies,  Regulars  or  Separates, 
had  the  warmest  preachers,  and  the  most  fire  among  them. 
We  determined  in  favor  of  the  latter,  although  the  ministers 
of  both,  were  zealous  men." 

With  the  advice  of  his  brethren,  he  attended  the  meeting  of 
the  Separate  Baptist  Association,  which  was  held  at  Sandy 
creek,  N.  C.  in  1769,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  baptism  and 
ordination.  At  this  meeting,  Elder  Samuel  Harriss,who  pre- 
viously had  refused  ordination,  was  regularly  set  apart  to  the 
ministry,  and  authorized  to  administer  the  ordinances.  It  was 
proposed  that  he  should  baptize  Mr.  Ireland,   and  for  this  pur- 


JAMES    IRELAND.  119 

pose  a  meeting  was  appointed  to  be  held  in  Pittsylvania.  Mr. 
Ireland  thus  refers  to  this  interesting  circumstance:  "Three 
days,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  nights,  were  employed  in 
preaching  to  the  people,  at  Mr.  Harriss',  many  of  the  hearers 
having  come  great  distances.  The  third  day,  the  whole  body 
of  the  church  went  into  their  meeting-house,  according  to  their 
rule,  to  hear  experience,  and  receive  subjects  for  baptism.  I 
endeavored  to  make  them  acquainted  with  what  the  Lord  had 
done  for  my  soul,  and  with  my  desires  of  submitting  to  an 
institution  of  God's  own  appointment. 

"After  short  interrogations,  only  for  the  satisfaction  and 
edification  of  the  church,  they  gave  me  the  right  hand  of  fellow- 
ship, and  declared  me  to  be  a  proper  subject  for  baptism.  Next 
day,  in  the  afternoon,  was  appointed  for  the  administration 
thereof;  it  being  Sunday,  we  were  to  meet  very  early  in  the 
morning,  for  preaching.  There  were  eleven  ministers  present. 
Considering  the  distance  I  lived,  it  was  proposed  among  them, 
and  acceded  to,  that  I  should  preach  my  trial  sermon,  and 
obtain  credentials.  Worship  being  over,  we  repaired  to  the 
water,  for  the  administration  of  baptism.  Mr.  Garrard  was  to 
speak  on  the  nature  and  design  of  the  ordinance,  and  Mr. 
Harriss  was  to  administer  it,  which  accordingly  was  done,  in 
the  presence  of  a  large  and  solemn  audience.  Next  morning  I 
had  to  take  my  leave  of  that  church.  My  credentials  were 
signed  by  eleven  ministers,  that  I  might  go  forward  as  an  itin- 
erant preacher,  without  any  hesitation." 

Immediately  after  his  baptism,  he  returned  home,  and  in  the 
spirit  and  power  of  his  Master,  devoted  himself  to  the  great 
work  of  preaching  the  gospel.  The  Lord  added  many  seals  to 
his  ministry.  But  he  soon  found  that  bonds  and  imprisonment 
awaited  him.  His  growing  popularity  and  success  excited  the 
indignation  of  the  rulers  of  the  established  church,  and  brought 
down  upon  his  head  fierce  persecution.  "At  one  time,  he  says, 
preaching  being  over,  and,  concluding  with  prayer,  I  heard 
a  rustling  noise  in  the  woods,  and  before  I  opened  my  eyes  to 
see  what  it  was,  I  was  seized  by  the  collar  by  two  men  while 


120  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

standing  on  the  table.  Stepping  down,  and  beholding  a  number 
of  others  walking  up,  it  produced  a  momentary  confusion  in  me. 
The  magistrates  instantaneously  demanded  of  me,  what  I  was 
doing  there  with  such  a  conventicle  of  people?  I  replied,  that 
I  was  preaching  the  gospel  of  Christ  to  them;  they  asked,  who 
gave  me  authority  so  to  do?  I  answered,  he  that  was  the  au- 
thor of  the  gospel,  had  a  right  to  send  forth  whom  he  had 
qualified  to  dispense  it.  They  retorted  upon  me  with  abusive 
epithets,  and  then  inquired,  if  1  had  any  authority  from  man 
to  preach?  I  produced  my  credentials,  but  these  would  avail 
nothing,  not  being  sanctioned  and  commissioned  by  the  bishop. 
They  told  me,  that  I  must  give  security  not  to  teach,  preach, 
or  exhort,  for  twelve  months  and  a  day,  or  go  to  jail.  1  chose 
the  latter  alternative.  This  occurred  in  Culpepper.  He  was 
accompanied  to  prison  amidst  the  abuses  of  his  persecutors, 
and  while  incarcerated  in  his  cell,  not  only  suffered  by  the  ex- 
treme inclemency  of  the  weather,  but  by  the  personal  maltreat- 
ment of  his  foes.  They  attempted  to  blow  him  up  with  gun- 
powder, but  the  quantity  obtained,  was  only  sufficient  to  force  up 
some  of  the  flooring  of  his  prison.  The  individual  who  led  in 
this  infamous  conduct,  was  shortly  after,  in  a  hunting  excur- 
sion, and  while  asleep  in  the  woods,  bitten  by  a  mad  wolf,  of 
which  wound  he  died  in  the  most  excruciating  pain.  There 
was  also  an  attempt  made  by  Elder  Ireland's  enemies  to  suffo- 
cate him,  by  burning  brimstone,  &c.  at  the  door  and  window  of 
his  prison.  A  scheme  was  also  formed  to  poison  him.  But 
the  mercy  of  God  prevented.  He  states,  that  he  might  speak 
of  a  hundred  instances  of  cruelty  which  were  practised."  "I 
expected  (says  he)  every  court  to  be  brought  out  to  the  whip- 
ping post  before  the  gazing  multitude;  I  sat  down  and  counted 
the  cost,  and  believed,  through  Christ  strengthening  me,  1  could 
suffer  all  things  for  his  sake.  It  appeared  that  their  power  did 
not  reach  so  far,  or  it  would  have  been  executed.  At  this  pe- 
riod, 1  received  letters  from  the  ministers  of  our  persuasion, 
and  from  a  variety  of  churches  with  whom  I  was  connected. 
From  these  churches  I  received  general  information,  how  sin- 


JAMES    IRELAND.  121 

gularly  letters  I  wrote,  were,  under  God,  blessed  to  the  conver- 
sion of  numbers,  who  were  anxiously  led  to  inquire  into  the 
cause  for  which  I  suffered,  as  well  as  the  grounds  of  that  forti- 
tude which  bore  me  up  under  these  sufferings.  My  prison,  then, 
was  a  place  in  which  I  enjoyed  much  of  the  divine  presence; 
a  day  seldom  passed  without  some  signal  token  of  the  divine 
goodness  towards  me,  which  generally  led  me  to  subscribe  my 
letters  in  these  words,  'From  my  palace  in  Culpepper.'"  As 
a  specimen  of  the  letters  written  to  him,  a  few  of  the  closing 
lines  of  one  from  Elder  David  Thomas,  will  not  be  uninterest- 
ing. "O  brother,  if  you  can,  by  bearing  the  charming,  lovely 
cross  of  Jesus  Christ,  win  one  of  the  strongest  of  Satan's 
strongholds,  no  matter  then  how  soon  you  die,  and  if  you  thus 
die  for  him  how  would  the  glorious  armies  of  the  martyrs 
above  shout  to  see  Ireland  coming  from  a  prison,  to  reign  with 
them  in  glory." 

It  is  painful  to  record,  that  this  unholy  opposition  was  mainly 
the  result  of  clerical  influence.  The  ministers  of  the  estab- 
lished church  were  generally  found  most  active  in  those  im- 
prisonments which  were  experienced  by  Baptist  ministers  in 
Va.  Mr.  Ireland  states,  that  at  his  trial,  "the  county  parson  was 
very  officious  in  giving  his  assistance  to  the  bench  in  the  di- 
lemma they  were  in.  I  applied  to  Mr.  Bullet,  to  move  the 
court  to  give  the  parson  and  I,  leave  to  argue  the  point  in  hand, 
before  them,  and  if  1  did  not  confute  him,  I  would  go  to  prison 
as  a  volunteer!  He,  with  a  smile,  replied,  the  word  of  God 
does  not  pass  current  in  this  house;  I  answered,  it -appears  so, 
or  they  would  not  imprison  those  who  preach  it." 

To  expose  the  oppressions  of  his  day,  another  extract  from 
Elder  Ireland's  pen  will  be  introduced,  by  which  it  will  be 
perceived,  that  a  man  of  reputable  character,  of  good  talents, 
and  aiming  to  promote  the  well  being  of  society,  was  not  al- 
lowed, by  the  consent  of  his  church,  to  speak  in  public,  or  to 
build  a  house  of  worship,  without  special  permission  from  the 
governor.  It  was  necessary  to  travel  down  from  Culpepper  to 
Williamsburg,  that  this  privilege,  might,  in  person,  be  ob- 
11* 


122  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

tained,  and  then,  not  without  examination  by  some  Episcopal 
minister.  The  following  is  the  extract: — "I  went  up  to  Fre- 
derick county,  drew  up  a  petition  addressed  to  Lord  Bottetourt, 
the  then  governor  of  Virginia,  praying  him  to  grant  me  the 
privilege  of  having  a  meeting  house  built  in  Culpepper  county, 
to  be  occupied  without  molestation,  on  condition  of  my  con- 
forming to  the  rules  prescribed  for  Protestant  dissenters.  To 
this  1  obtained  the  signature  of  a  number  of  respectable  in- 
habitants, both  of  Frederick  and  Culpepper  counties,  and  re- 
paired to  the  capital,  at  Williamsburg.  The  governor,  I  un- 
derstood, was  a  religious  man;  and  his  universal  conduct  was 
stamped  with  the  approbation  of  all,  both  within  and  without 
his  capital.  Whether  he  possessed  vital  religion  or  not,  I  will 
not  presume  to  determine,  but  he  received  my  petition  with 
all  the  graces  of  a  gentleman,  and  gave  me  direction  what 
measure  to  pursue,  antecedent  to  granting  the  privileges  I  re- 
quested. I  found  the  clergy  in  the  city  of  quite  a  different  char- 
acter from  the  governor;  they  appeared  obstinately  determined 
not  to  give  me  the  requisite  examination:  every  one  shifted  it 
upon  another,  till  at  last  I  obtained  it  from  a  county  parson,  living 
eight  miles  from  the  capital,  and  presented  it  to  the  governor  and 
council,  who  granted  me  a  license  for  those  things  petitioned." 

It  was  Elder  Ireland's  portion  to  suffer  many  other  painful 
trials,  but  his  ministry  was  increasingly  successful.  He  was 
instrumental  in  forming  several  churches  of  the  Ketockton 
Association,  and  for  many  years  filled  the  pastoral  office  with 
two  or  three  of  those  in  the  counties  of  Frederick  and  She- 
nandoah. Several  hundreds  were  by  him  led  into  the  watery 
tomb,  expressive  of  their  death  unto  sin.  In  1802,  he  bap- 
tized, in  one  of  his  churches,  ninety-three  persons,  fifty-two 
of  whom  were  received  in  one  day. 

In  consequence  of  injuries  sustained  by  a  fall  from  his  horse, 
and  afterwards  by  the  overthrowing  of  his  carriage,  he  was  in 
the  early  part  of  1806,  confined  to  his  bed.  He  soon  became 
much  afflicted  with  the  dropsy,  and  suffered  the  most  excruci- 
ating pains.     Notwithstanding  his  extreme  illness,  he  did  not 


JAMES    IRELAND.  123 

neglect  family  worship,  even  after  he  hecame  so  weak  that  he 
could  not  sit  up;  then  he  would  lead  in  prayer,  and  seem  to 
enjoy  it  while  in  a  recumbent  posture.  He  gradually  declined, 
until  May  5th,  1800,  when  his  spirit  fled  to  mansions  on  high. 
The  following  notice  of  his  character  and  labors,  is  taken  from 
the  Winchester  Gazette: 

"Elder  James  Ireland  was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  congrega- 
tions at  Buckmarsh,  Happy  creek,  and  Water  lick,  in  Frede- 
rick and  Shenandoah  counties,  Virginia.  He  had  labored 
nearly  forty  years  in  his  Lord's  vineyard,  and  during  a  great 
part  of  the  time,  through  much  infirmity  of  body.  He  was  al- 
ways distinguished  as  an  able  minister  of  the  New  Testament, 
rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth,  giving  to  saint  and  sinner 
their  portion  in  due  season.  During  his  last  illness,  which 
confined  him  to  his  bed  about  three  months,  his  mind  was 
tranquil  and  serene.  Fully  sensible  of  his  approaching  disso- 
lution, and  perfectly  resigned  to  the  will  of  God,  he  endured  all 
things,  as  seeing  him  who  is  invisible;  and  having  an  eye  to  the 
recompense  of  reward,  patiently  waited  for  the  manifestations 
of  the  sons  of  God.  On  Sunday,  the  1st  instant,  a  suitable  and 
affecting  discourse  was  delivered  at  Buckmarsh  meeting  house, 
the  place  of  his  interment,  to  a  numerous  and  weeping  audi- 
ence, by  Elder  William  Mason,  from  2  Tim.  iv,  7,  8:  'I  have 
fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  finished   my  course,'  &c. 

"Mr.  Ireland  was  a  man  of  common  stature,  a  handsome 
face,  piercing  eye,  and  pleasant  countenance.  In  his  youth  he 
was  spare,  but  he  became  by  degrees  quite  corpulent,  so  that 
not  long  after  his  second  marriage,  he  wanted  but  nineteen 
pounds  of  weighing  three  hundred." 

This  sketch  will  be  closed  by  the  introduction  of  two  or  three 
stanzas  composed  by  him  shortly  after  the  declaration  of  inde- 
pendence. They  furnish  a  specimen  of  his  talent  for  poetry: 
I. 

"America!  exult  in  God, 

With  joyful  acclamation; 
Who  has,  through  scenes  of  war  and  blood, 

Displayed  to  thee  salvation. 


124  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

When  armed  hosts 

With  warlike  boasts, 
Did  threaten  thy  destruction, 

And  crossed  the  main 

With  martial  train, 
To  compass  thy  subjection; 
Thy  sole  resource  was  God  alone, 
Who  heard  thy  cries  before  his  throne, 
Beheld  with  hate  their  schemes  of  blood, 
Impending  o'er  thee  like  a  Hood, 
And  made  them  know  it  was  in  vain, 
To  make  thee  longer  drag  their  chain; 

That  thou  shouldst  be 

A  nation  free, 
From  their  unjust  oppression. 

II. 

Hail!  now  ye  sons  of  liberty, 

Behold  thy  constitution, 
Despotic  power  and  tyranny 
Have  seen  their  dissolution. 
No  clattering  arms, 
No  war's  alarms, 
Nor  threats  of  royal  vengeance; 
Thy  hostile  foes 
Have  left  otf  those; 
Now  own  thy  Independence. 
Replete  witli  peace,  valiant  we  stand, 
Freedom  the  basis  of  our  land; 
Blest  with  the  beams  of  gospel  light, 
Our  souls  emerge  from  sable  night; 
Jehovah's  heralds  loud  proclaim 
Eternal  life  through  Jesus'  name, 
Point  out  his  blood 
The  way  to  God, 
For  our  complete  salvation. 

III. 

Amidst  the  blessings  we  enjoy, 
From  God  the  gracious  giver, 
Let  gratitude  our  hearts  employ, 
To  praise  his  name  forever; 
Beware  of  pride, 
Lest  like  a  tide, 
It  flows  and  gains  possession; 
'Mongst  empires  all, 
Both  great  and  small, 
Pride  always  brought  oppression; 
Pride  finds  the  way  to  rule  and  reign, 
And  forges  the  despotic  chain; 
Denies  we  should  enjoy  or  have 
The  right  that  God  in  nature  gave; 
Against  this  baleful  evil  fight — 
Kcsist  its  force  with  all  your  might, 


JAMES    GREENWOOD.  125 

And  join  as  one, 
Before   the  throne,  ' 
That  God  would  keep  us  humble. 

IV. 

Most  gracious  God,  thee  we  adore, 

Whose  mercy  faileth  never. 
Thy  guardian  care  we  now  implore, 
Be  thou  our  king  Ibrever; 
May  gospel  rays 
Divinely  blaze, 
With  an  immortal  lustre, 
And  teach  us  how 
Our  hearts  to  bow, 
To  the  Redeemer's  sceptre. 
O  may  the  silver  trump  of  peace, 
Within  our  empire  never  cease, 
Until  the  ransomed,  holy  race, 
Are  called  in  by  sovereign  grace. 
Then  may  the  conflagration  come, 
And  sinners  rise  to  hear  their  doom: 
Thy  chosen  ones, 
In  endless  songs, 
Will  shout  forth-  hallelujahs. 


JAMES    GREENWOOD 


The  biographer  regrets,  that  but  few  facts  connected  with 
the  life  of  James  Greenwood  have  been  obtained,  notwithstand- 
ing frequent  inquiries  made  in  the  region  where  he  spent  his 
days.  He  was  born  about  1749,  in  the  lower  part  of  Virginia, 
and  in  his  twentieth  year,  became  a  Baptist,  and  a  workman  in 
the  Lord's  service.  Few  ministers  have  pursued  a  more  unex- 
ceptionable course.  A  blameless  life  is  one  of  the  most  impor- 
tant qualifications  which  the  scriptures  require  in  him  who  fills 
the  office  of  a  bishop.  Without  this,  the  most  splendid  talents 
will  only  prove  a  curse  to  the  interests  of  religion.  This  will 
enable  a  man  of  comparatively  week  capacity  to  do  good,  where 
one  of  strong  intellect,  but  equivocal  piety,  will  be  utterly 
useless.  This  was  the  most  striking  peculiarity  in  reference 
to  Elder  Greenwood.     His  daily  deportment  uttered  a  language 


126  BIOGRAPHY     OF 

more  powerfully  persuasive,  than  all  the  sermons  he  ever  deliv- 
ered. All  who  knew  him,  confided  in  his  piety,  and  found  in 
his  life,  an  evidence  of  the  purifying  influence  of  the  gospel. 
While  he  was  universally  heloved  by  others,  there  was  at  all 
timoe,  entertained  by  hi?n,  a  deep  sense  of  personal  unworthi- 
ness.     He  was  truly  an  humble  man. 

Elder  Greenwood  was  quite  useful  in  the  vineyard  of  Christ. 
At  the  constitution  of  Piscataway  church,  Essex  county,  he 
was  induced  to  become  their  pastor,  and  continued  to  sustain 
that  relation  for  nearly  forty  years.  "The  church,  (says  Mr. 
Semple,)  under  his  care,  has  prospered  without  intermission. 
In  1788,  and  1804,  there  were  precious  revivals;  in  each  of 
which  years,  a  respectable  number  was  added,  but  it  is  worthy 
of  note,  that  even  in  the  coldest  season,  this  church  gradually 
gained  strength,  enjoying  uniform  serenity  and  peace."  In 
addition  to  efforts  in  Piscataway,  he  travelled  much  in  the  lower 
counties,  and  was  the  honored  instrument  of  saving  many  souls 
from  death. 

Notwithstanding  the  lovely  character  sustained  by  this  ser- 
vant of  the  Redeemer,  he  did  not  escape  the  rage  of  those 
who,  in  his  day,  persecuted  the  church  of  God,  and  wasted  it. 
Indeed  it  was  not  to  be  expected.  If  the  Lamb  of  God  was  led 
to  the  slaughter,  his  servants  may  well  calculate  on  unkind 
treatment.  Elder  Greenwood  was  apprehended,  while  actually 
engaged  in  proclaiming  the  gospel  of  peace.  He  was  standing 
not  far  from  the  place  now  occupied  by  Bruington  meeting 
house,  King  and  Queen  county,  when  he  was  rudely  seized, 
and  forced  to  prison.  But  he  was  not  without  consolation. 
The  Lord  was  with  him  in  his  dungeon,  and  lightened  his  chain. 
Nor  was  the  time  in  his  Master's  service  lost,  for  while  in 
prison,  he  lifted  up  his  voice,  and  proclaimed  liberty  to  the 
captives  of  sin.  As  the  sound  of  salvation  was  heard  from  the 
grated  windows  of  his  cell,  the  multitudes  without,  wept,  and 
many  believed  unto  eternal  life.  Such  was  the  effect  of  his 
ministrations,  that  his  foes  judged  it  most  politic  to  open  the 
prison  doors,  and  let  him  go  free. 


JOIIN    WILLIAMS.  127 


JOHN    WILLIAMS. 


It  is  regretted  that  the  materials  which  once  existed,  and 
which  would  have  essentially  contributed  to  complete  this  sketch, 
are  not  now  to  be  obtained.  Those  which  have  escaped  the 
ravages  of  time,  will  tend  to  show  that  Elder  Williams  was 
among  the  mosteminentservants  of  God, in  ourown,or  anyother 
denomination. 

He  was  born  in  Hanover  county,  in  1747.  His  parents, 
though  not  wealthy,  were  in  comfortable  circumstances,  and 
availed  themselves  of  the  opportunities  they  enjoyed,  to  give 
their  son  a  liberal  education.  At  what  time  he  left  Hanover, 
is  not  known,  but  in  1769  he  was  engaged  in  the  capacity  of 
sheriff,  in  Lunenburg  county.  About  this  period,  the  right 
hand  of  the  Lord  was  gloriously  displayed,  in  various  parts  of 
Virginia,  and  many  yielded  to  the  sway  of  the  King  of  saints. 
The  counties  in  the  southern  part  of  the  state  shared  largely  in 
these  triumphs.  Elder  Samuel  Harriss,  with  others,  were  the 
instruments  of  awakening  this  interest  in  spiritual  things.  It 
was  at  this  time,  that  Elder  Williams'  attention  was  first  di- 
rected to  the  subject  of  religion.  Having  been  brought  to  the 
feet  of  Christ,  and  realized  the  efficacy  of  the  blood  of  atone, 
ment,  he  began  at  once  to  tell  others  of  the  value  of  a  Saviour. 
Being  extensively  acquainted  in  the  county,  in  fulfilling  the 
duties  of  the  sheriffality,  he  was  allowed  a  favorable  opportu- 
nity of  doing  good  to  others.  Nor  did  he  neglect  it.  He  warned 
his  fellow  men  to  turn  from  sin's  deceitful  ways,  although  he 
had  not  as  yet  fulfilled  the  command  of  the  Redeemer,  by 
being  buried  with  him  in  baptism,  or  united  with  any  Christian 
church.  He  was  not  immersed,  until  February,  1770,  six 
months  after  his  conversion. 

He  continued  to  prosecute  the  work  of  the  ministry  as  a 
licentiate,  with  the  diligence  and  perseverance  of  one  who  knew 
the  value  of  the  gospel,  and  who  earnestly  desired  the  salvation 
of  sinners.     Within  three  years  the  number   of  disciples  had 


128  BIOGRAPHY     OF 

so  far  increased,  that  it  was  thought  expedient  to  form  a  new 
church  in  the  county  of  Lunenburg,  to  be  known  by  the  name 
of  Meherrin.  They  were  constituted  November  27th,  1771, 
and  after  being  supplied  a  short  time,  by  Elder  Jeremiah 
Walker,  they  invited  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  to  become 
their  pastor,  which  invitation  he  accepted.  It  was  at  this 
period,  December*  1772,  he  was  publicly  set  apart  by  imposi- 
tion of  hands.  He  appears,  while  laboring  for  this  church,  to 
have  been  eminently  useful.  At  the  association,  in  1774,  it 
was  ascertained,  from  the  report  of  the  churches,  that  the 
church  at  Meherrin  had  received  during  the  previous  year,  a 
larger  number  than  any  other,  represented  at  that  meeting. 
Such  was  the  increase,  during  his  administration,  that  five  or 
six  churches  were  originated  from  the  Meherrin  church,  in  the 
counties  of  Lunenburg,  Mecklenburg,  and  Charlotte.  In  1785, 
he  removed  his  membership  to  Sandy  creek  church,  Charlotte, 
and  became  their  pastor.  This  relation  he  sustained  as  long 
as  he  lived.  He  consented  also  in  1786,  to  servo  the  Blue-stone 
church,  Mecklenburg  county.  They  were  supplied  by  him 
about. eight  years,  until  the  removal  of  Elder  William  Richards 
into  their  immediate  vicinity;  when  he  tendered  his  resignation. 
It  ought  here  to  be  mentioned,  that  immediately  after  Elder 
Williams'  conversion  to  God,  he  began  to  preach  in  a  destitute 
neighborhood  of  Mecklenburg  county,  and  was  successful  in  the 
formation  of  a  church,  called  Allen's  creek.  Here,  for  twenty 
years,  as  frequently  as  possible,  and  with  much  success,  he 
preached  the  gospel.  Many  colored  persons  were  brought  to 
a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  added  to  this  church. 

The  influence  of  this  servant  of  Christ,  was  not  to  be  con- 
fined within  these  limits.  Ho  early  distinguished  himself  as  one 
who  felt  deeply  for  the  general  interests  of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom.  He  was  a  regular  attendant  at  the  meetings  of  the 
General  Association,  which  continued  in  existence  until  1783, 
and  afterwards  when  the  General  Committee  was  organized, 
he  never  failed  to  be  present.  Many  of  the  most  important 
subjects  were  discussed  at   these  meetings,  and  there  is  satis- 


JOHN    WILLIAMS.  1^9 

factory  evidence,  that,  he  was  one  of  the  leading  spirits  in  those 
deliberations.  To  some  of  the  good  objects  to  which  he  turned 
his  attention,  and  in  the  prosecution  of  which,  he  faithfully 
toiled,  it  may  not  be  uninteresting  to  invite  the  attention  of  the 
reader,  By  this  reference,  it  will  be  seen  that  he  possessed  a 
spirit  of  enlarged  benevolence,  as  well  as  a  vigorous  and  culti- 
vated mind.  Any  scheme  which  promised  to  promote  the 
welfare  of  man,  he  was  not  only  willing  to  approve,  but  to  aid 
in  its  accomplishment.  Among  those  important  measures 
which  engaged  his  attention,  will  be  mentioned: 

1.  The  cause  of  religious  liberty.  When  he  entered  the 
ministry,  the  church  of  England  was  established  by  law,  and 
dissenters  were  deprived  of  many  privileges  enjoyed  by  Epis- 
copalians. As  non-conformists  they  were  liable  to  the  loss  of 
personal  liberty,  and  to  the  experience  of  many  painful  suffer- 
ings. The  Baptists,  in  their  enlightened  and  honest  zeal  to 
spread  the  influence  of  a  Saviour's  love,  felt  most  sorely  these 
grievances.  Elder  Williams  was,  in  the  meetings  of  the 
General  Association  and  General  Committee,  one  of  the  most 
unbending  champions  in  opposing  these  proscriptions,  and  em- 
ployed his  influence  to  encourage  his  brethren  to  resist,  by  all 
scriptural  means,  these  unhallowed,  though  legalized  oppres- 
sions. At  the  meeting  of  the  General  Association,  in  1775,  a 
resolution  was  adopted,  authorizing  memorials  to  be  prepared, 
and  circulated  throughout  the  state,  praying  the  General  As- 
sembly of  Virginia,  that  the  church  establishment  might  be 
abolished,  and  that  religion  might  be  allowed  to  stand  upon  its 
own  basis.  Elder  Williams,  with  two  others,  were  deputed  to 
wait  on  the  legislature,  with  these  petitions.  At  several  other 
times,  was  he  appointed  on  a  mission  of  this  kind.  Nor  were 
his  efforts,  with  those  of  his  brethren,  vain.  He  lived  to  see 
one  of  the  warmest  wishes  of  his  heart  gratified;  the  entire 
prostration  of  ecclesiastical  tyranny.  The  following  extract 
expresses,  in  his  own  forcible  language,  his  high  sense  of  the 
value  of  those  civil  and  religious  privileges,  which  had  been 
conferred  on  our  nation. 
12 


130  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

"We  live  in  an  extraordinary  day — under  the  benign  influ- 
ence of  the  gospel  sun,  that  seems  to  be  rising  to  his  meridian 
height;  no  nation  or  people,  since  government  was  first  intro- 
duced into  the  world,  ever  enjoyed  equal  privileges  with  us. 
We  boast  not  merely  the  enjoyment  of  civil,  but  of  religious 
liberty,  without  any  check  or  control  from  the  hand  of  oppres- 
sion. How  ought  every  one  to  praise  the  Lord  for  his  good- 
ness and  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men!  How  ought 
we  to  wrestle  with  God  in  prayer  for  grace  equal  to  the  day, 
that  we  may  not  like  Jeshurun,  grow  wanton,  and  abuse  these 
glorious  privileges!'' 

2.  The  interests  of  education  found  in  him  an  efficient  patron. 
He  was  not  in  the  habit  of  indulging  an  idea  that  the  cultiva- 
tion of  intellect  was  necessarily  unfriendly  to  the  exercise 
of  fervent  piety.  The  subject  of  education,  it  is  well  known, 
was  favorably  received,  and  plans  adopted  for  its  promotion 
by  the  Baptists  of  the  last  century.  In  1793  it  was  committed 
by  the  General  Committee  to  John  Williams,  and  Thomas  Read 
who  reported  the  following  plan: — that  fourteen  trustees  be  ap- 
pointed, all  of  whom  shall  be  Baptists:  that  these,  at  their  first 
meeting,  appoint  seven  from  the  other  denominations;  and  that 
the  whole  twenty-one  then  form  a  plan,  and  make  arrangements 
for  executing  it.  Why  this  scheme  failed  is  not  distinctly  known; 
but  it  is  evident  that  the  brethren  of  that  day,  not  only  con- 
templated the  institution  of  a  seminary  of  learning,  but  actu- 
ally adopted  the  incipient  measures  for  carrying  their  wishes 
into  execution.  An  extract  is  here  presented  from  a  paper  pre- 
pared by  Elder  Williams,  which  indicates  his  own  feelings,  and 
the  progress  which  had  been  made  in  the  cause  of  education. 
"Two  seminaries  of  learning  are  proposed  in  our  state,  one  on 
each  side  of  James  river.  We  have  sufficient  encouragement 
from  our  learned  brethren  in  the  north,  that  we  shall  not  want 
for  able,  skilful  teachers.  This  will  also  require  very  diligent 
efforts  and  liberal  contributions.  And  if  we,  in  this,  as  we 
ought  in  every  thing,  do  it  with  an  single  eye  to  the  glory  of 
God,  and  the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's  interest,  then 


JOHN    WILLIAMS.  131 

shall  we  have  suilicient  grounds  to  hope  we  shall  meet  with  the 
approbation  of  heaven."  In  these  lines,  we  may  observe  that 
he  not  only  felt  a  lively  interest  in  educational  operations,  but 
indulged  fervent  devotion  to  God,  and  a  desire  that  all  the 
plans  he  fostered,  might  advance  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 

3.  Another  subject  in  which  Elder  Williams  felt  a  deep  and 
lively  interest,  was  the  preparation  of  a  history  of  the  Virginia 
Baptist  churches.  The  reference  of  this  work  to  his  hands  is 
thus  alluded  to  by  Elder  Semple: — "The  compilation  of  a  his- 
tory of  the  Virginia  Baptists  having  been  committed  wholly 
to  the  hands  of  Mr.  Williams,  after  Mr.  Leland's  removal;  he 
had  made  no  inconsiderable  progress  in  collecting  documents, 
when,  in  consequence  of  the  decline  of  his  health,  he  found 
himself  under  the  necessity  of  resigning  his  trust.  This  he 
did  in  a  letter  to  the  General  Committee  in  1794.  The  com- 
mittee received  his  resignation,  and  resolved  to  decline  it  for 
the  present.''  A  few  years  previous,  he  himself  thus  refers  to 
this  subject.  "It  is  thought  very  expedient  to  form  or  com- 
pile a  history  of  the  baptized  churches  in  Virginia,  their  rise, 
progress,  hindrances,  remarkable  events,  and  occurrences, 
chief  instruments,  present  condition,  &c.  Our  General  Com- 
mittee have  taken  up  the  matter,  and  appointed  ministers  in 
the  various  districts  to  collect  materials,  who  find  it  very  ne- 
cessary to  claim  the  exertions  and  assistance  of  the  several 
churches,  ministers,  and  other  individuals.  Wer  desire  every 
circumstance  to  be  presented  as  clearly  as  possible,  and  with 
candor  and  truth." 

It  has  been  already  stated  that  Elder  Williams  was  highly 
distinguished  as  a  minister  of  reconciliation.  He  was  a  man 
of  no  ordinary  strength  of  intellect.  This  is  indicated  by  such 
written  documents  as  were  left  by  him,  and  the  concurrent 
testimony  of  those  who  knew,  and  now  survive  him.  He  was 
much  devoted  to  reading,  and  his  attainments  were  by  no  means 
inconsiderable.  Especially  on  theological  subjects,  was  his 
knowledge  enlarged  and  profound.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted 
that  many  who  undertake  the  important   work  of  instructing 


132  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

others,  are  themselves  destitute  of  information.  The  subject 
of  this  biography  did  not  belong  to  this  class,  he  was  a  work- 
man who  needed  not  to  be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the  word 
of  truth.  As  a  public  speaker,  he  is  thus  described  by  Elder 
Semple: — "His  talents,  if  not  equal  to  any,  were  certainly  very 
little  inferior  to  those  of  the  first  grade.  His  appearance  in 
the  pulpit  was  noble  and  majestic,  yet  humble  and  affectionate. 
In  the  beginning  of  his  discourses,  he  was  doctrinal,  and  some- 
what methodical;  often  very  deep,  even  to  the  astonishment  of 
his  hearers — towards  the  close,  and  indeed  sometimes  through- 
out his  sermon,  he  was  exceedingly  animated.  His  exhorta- 
tions were  often  incomparable." 

From  the  minutes  of  associations  to  which  he  belonged,  and 
other  sources,  it  appears  that  in  his  religious  sentiments,  he  was 
a  moderate  Calvinist.  He  delighted  to  dwell  on  those  doctrines 
which  tend  to  humble  the  sinner,  and  exalt  Christ.  It  is  inti- 
mated by  some  who  knew  him,  that  he  was  favorable  to  open 
communion.  If  this  were  his  sentiment,  it  was  not  carried  into 
practice.  Nor  did  he  fail  on  all  suitable  occasions  to  vindicate 
the  exclusive  propriety  of  believers'  baptism.  Mr.  Patilloe,  a 
Presbyterian  minister  of  some  celebrity,  having  preached  in 
his  vicinity  a  discourse  on  the  subject  of  baptism,  a  reply  of 
considerable  merit  was  prepared  by  Mr.  Williams.  This  reply 
he  intended  to  put  to  the  press,  had  the  discourse  itself  been 
published.  A  brief  extract  from  the  preface  will  indicate  the 
spirit,  with  which  the  work  was  undertaken: — "I  hope  1  have 
sufficiently  demonstrated  to  my  countrymen  for  a  series  of  years, 
that  I  am  not  overbearing  on  others,  or  bigoted  to  those  of  my 
principles  which  are  not  essential  to  salvation:  I  have  univer- 
sally endeavored  to  promote  a  catholic  spirit,  with  peace  and 
concord  in  the  Israel  of  God.  But  nevertheless  I  am  set  for  the 
defence  of  the  gospel;  and  as  such,  circumstances  often  occur 
that  require  me  to  contend  for  the  faith  and  order  of  Christ's 
church." 

This  leads  to  a  notice  of  one  of  the  most  prominent  features 
in  the  character  of  John   Williams.     He  was,  to  use  his  own 


joun  williams.  13:3 

phrase,  a  man  of  catholic  spirit.  In  this  respect,  he  exhibited 
a  pattern  of  loveliness,  which  every  minister  should  imitate. 
Some  men  seem  to  enjoy  themselves  only  in  the  atmosphere 
of  controversy.  They  prefer  to  occupy  their  time,  not  in  acts  of 
benevolence,  but  in  finding  fault  with  those  around  them. 
Though  immovably  firm  in  maintaining  the  truth,  Elder  Wil- 
liams was  a  lover  of  peace.  He  regarded  all  who  loved  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  although  there  might  exist  some  difference  of  opin- 
ion on  religious  subjects.  He  was  in  the  habit  of  associating 
with  the  Presbyterians,  some  of  whom  were  residents  in  his 
neighborhood.  But  especially  in  his  own  denomination  was  he 
solicitous  to  have  the  unity  of  the  spirit  increased  and  perpetu- 
ated. A  most  interesting  letter  written  by  him  to  Dr.  Rippon 
of  London  in  179*2,  will  here  be  introduced.  No  one  can  trans- 
port himself  back  to  the  period  when  it  was  penned,  and  call 
up  to  his  imagination  the  events  which  had  transpired,  without 
having  awakened  in  his  bosom  the  most   thrilling  emotions. 

"Charlotte  county,  Virginia. 
"Long  have  I  been  desirous  a  door  of  correspondence  might 
be  opened  between  the  ministers  and  churches  of  Christ,  of  the 
Baptist  denomination  in  Europe,  especially  in  your  kingdom, 
and  those  of  North  America,  &c.  For,  notwithstanding  we 
are  at  the  distance  of  3,000  miles,  yet  we  are  born  of  the  same 
spirit,  and  pursuing  the  same  glorious  object.  The  convulsions 
and  fluctuations  of  the  times,  with  other  circumstances,  have 
hitherto  prevented  my  making  an  attempt;  but  considering  the 
desirableness  of  Christian  acquaintance,  the  unity  of  the  spirit 
and  the  fellowship  of  the  churches,  I  have  ventured  to  draw  a 
bow,  and  leave  the  event  to  divine  Providence.  Though  I  am 
not  an  old  man,  I  have  seen  Virginia  as  dark  as  midnight- 
touching  spiritual  things — except  in  a  few  instances.  But, 
glory  be  to  God!  xce,  that  sat  in  darkness,  have  seen  a  great 
light/  The  sun  of  righteousness,  with  divinely  illuminating 
and  cheering  rays,  seems  to  be  rising  to  his  meridian  splendor, 
in  our  hemisphere.  Jesus  is  going  forth  with  a  bow  and  a 
12+ 


134  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

crown,  conquering  and  to  conquer,  and  we,  the  despised  Bap- 
tists, have  become  a  numerous,  and,  blessed  be  God,  a  united 
people.  Could  you  be  wafted  across  the  Atlantic,  upon  the 
wings  of  an  angel,  and  sit  down  among  us,  your  soul  would 
triumph,  and  you  would  stretch  forth  your  hands,  to  enable 
your  little  sister  in  the  wilderness  to  make  advances.  If  God 
should  bless  the  design,  and  a  door  of  correspondence  be  open- 
ed and  maintained,  I  shall  in  future  give  you  a  more  circum- 
stantial account  of  our  churches,  &c.  At  present,  it  will  be 
sufficient  to  say,  we  became  so  numerous  and  so  extensive,  that 
we  could  not,  with  propriety,  associate  at  one  place  and  time; 
therefore,  divided  into  various  convenient  districts,  each  district 
to  send  delegates  annually  to  meet  in  General  Committee;  by 
which  union  and  harmony  are  maintained.  There  were,  from 
our  beginning,  bars  of  distinction  kept  up,  and  we  lived  under 
the  titles  of  Regulars  and  Separates;  but  the  Lord,  in  his  won- 
der-working goodness,  has  caused  this  unhappiness  to  be  re- 
moved, and  we  have  become  a  united  people,  and  are  now  dis- 
tinguished by  the  title  of,  '■The  United  Baptist  Churches  in 
Virginia;''  the  blessed  and  happy  effects  of  which,  it  is  out  of 
my  power  minutely  to  describe.  We  had  before  (but  particu- 
larly at  the  time  of  the  union's  taking  place)  adopted  in  a  soft, 
general  manner,  what  is  called  with  us,  'The  Philadelphia 
Confession  of  Faith,'  and  which  is  better  known  with  you,  by 
the  title  of  'A  Confession  of  Faith,  set  forth  by  upwards  of  a 
hundred  congregations  in  England  and  Wales,  in  the  year 
1689.'  I  mention  this  to  give  you  a  general  idea  of  our  prin- 
ciples. 

"Before  the  American  revolution,  the  Baptists  upon  this 
continent  had  a  very  superficial  knowledge  of  each  other  out  of 
their  own  colonies;  but  since  then,  an  universal  acquaintance 
and  harmony  seem  to  be  taking  place,  much  to  the  glory  of 
God,  and  the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's  interests.  New 
England  was  more  out  of  our  idea,  than  Old  England;  but 
now,  blessed  be  God,  not  only  an  epistolary  correspondence  is 
kept  up,  but  personal  visits  have  actually  taken  place,  at  least 


JOHN    WILLIAMS.  135 

from  them  to  us;  the  salutary  effects  of  which  we  are  daily  ex- 
periencing. These  things  prompt  me  to  be  more  determined 
(I  hope  with  an  eye  to  the  glory  of  God)  to  extend  the  corres- 
pondence to  our  brethren  and  fathers  in  the  kingdom  of  Great 
Britain.     Much  in  favor  to  us  may  be  expected  therefrom.''* 

This  sketch  would  not  be  complete,  if  we  should  fail  to  mark 
another  resemblance  which  existed  between  Mr.  Williams  and 
his  divine  Master.  He  loved  the  souls  of  men.  Their  salva- 
tion was  ardently  desired  by  him.  He  was  himself  active  and 
laborious  in  pointing  to  the  Lamb  of  God,  that  taketh  away  the 
sins  of  the  world.  Immediately  previous  to  the  declaration  of 
independence,  while  the  American  army  were  encamped  in  the 
lower  part  of  Virginia,  permission  to  preach  to  the  soldiers  was 
obtained  from  the  legislature,  and  he  gladly  engaged  in  the 
work.  Had  he  lived  in  the  present  day,  none  can  question, 
that  he  would  heartily  unite  in  those  efforts,  which  are  intended 
to  send  among  the  nations,  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 
In  allusion  to  the  success  of  the  Gospel  in  our  land,  he  thus 
writes:  "We  have  had  agreeable  accounts  from  the  churches, 
touching  the  advancement  of  Emanuel's  interest;1'  and  then  he 
breaks  out  in  the  following  prayer:  "May  the  divine  effusion 
become  general!  may  the  blessed  Jesus  go  forth  conquering 
and  to  conquer,  until  his  name  and  praise  be  one  in  all  the 
earth!"  This  prayer  expresses  the  spontaneous  wish  of  a  heart, 
in  which  had  been  shed  abroad  the  love  of  Christ.  In  propor- 
tion as  the  evil  of  sin  is  known,  and  salvation  is  prized,  will  be 
the  fervency  of  desire,  to  send  the  gospel  to  every  creature. 

While  the  discourses  of  this  man  of  God  were  highly  doc- 
trinal, there  was  no  undue  stress  laid  on  one  portion  of  the 
divine  word,  to  the  exclusion  of  another.  Partial  exhibitions 
were  not  given  for  the  sake  of  sustaining  a  favorite  theory.   He 

*This  letter  contains  an  educational  plan,  which,  when  realized, 
will  probably  be  of  considerable  service  to  the  interests  of  religion.  It 
was  forwarded  by  way  of  Providence,  accompanied  with  a  polite  epistle 
from  President  Manning,  expressive  of  his  approbation  of  the  general 
design;  a  design  which,  by  this  time,  may  be  more  matured,  and  I  think 
needs  only  to  be  known,  in  order  to  be  executed.        [Note  by  Rippon.  . 


136  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

understood  the  art  of  giving  to  each  his  portion  of  meat  in  due 
season.  The  precepts,  as  well  as  the  promises  of  the  bible, 
were  urged  on  the  attention  of  the  churches.  A  good  speci- 
men of  his  views,  and  his  method  of  recommending  moral  obli- 
gation, will  be  furnished  in  the  extract  which  follows:  "Not- 
withstanding all  that  Jehovah  is  doing  for  our  American  lands; 
what  crowds  of  thoughtless,  ungrateful  men  and  women  are  to 
be  found;  the  major  part  of  our  neighbors,  and  families,  perhaps 
careless  in  sin,  or  reveling  in  vice  and  luxury.  The  inestima- 
ble worth  of  souls,  the  cause  of  God  in  general,  and  our  numer- 
ous civil  privileges,  combine  to  call  upon  us  in  the  most  serious 
and  pointed  terms,  to  stand  fast  in  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ 
hath  made  us  free.  Every  circumstance  points  out  to  us  the 
importance  and  necessity  of  holy  living,  pious  deportment,  a 
well  educated  offspring,  and  proper  family  government.  Heads 
of  families  may  do  much,  yea,  very  much  is  expected  and 
required  from  them.  Of  what  avail  will  be  the  best  laws,  and 
well  ordered  civil  government,  the  most  virtuous  rulers,  and 
warm  pathetic  addresses  from  the  pulpit,  if  religious  domestic 
government  is  not  supported.  What  very  great  discourage- 
ment must  faithful  ministers  of  the  gospel  be  under,  when  pro- 
fessors do  not  aid  them,  by  their  pious  exertions;  therefore,  dear 
brethren,  be  exhorted  to  strengthen  their  hands,  by  walking, 
and  steadily  persevering  in  every  practical  part  of  Christianity. 
In  fine,  let  us  all,  to  the  utmost  of  our  power,  stand  up  firm  for 
the  cause  of  virtue  and  religion;  let  us  bear  open  and  practical 
testimony  against  the  dissipations,  and  extravagancies  which, 
in  their  very  nature,  awfully  threaten  the  interests  of  liberty, 
learning,  morality,  and  religion.'' 

A  brief  reference  will  now  be  made  to  the  close  of  his  val- 
uable life.  He  was  not  permitted  to  see  an  old  age.  A  quota- 
tion from  Elder  Semple,  will  give  all  the  particulars,  which 
may  be  interesting,  respecting  the  latter  part  of  his  days. 
"Being  very  corpulent,  at  an  association,  in  the  year  1793,  he 
accidently  fell,  by  the  turning  of  a  step,  as  he  was  passing 
out  of  a  door,  and  became,  for  a  year  or  two,  a  cripple,  being 


LEWIS    LUNSFORD.  137 

under  the  necessity  of  going  on  crutches.  Notwithstanding 
this,  he  would  still  go  in  a  carriage,  to  the  meetings,  and 
preach,  sitting  in  a  chair,  in  the  pulpit.  During  several  of  the 
last  years  of  his  life,  he  was  afflicted  with  a  very  painful  dis- 
ease. Under  his  severe  suffering,  he  was  not  only  patient,  hut 
when  he  could  have  any  mitigation  of  his  pain,  he  was  also 
cheerful.  About  ten  days  before  his  death  he  was  attacked 
by  a  pleurisy,  from  which  no  medicine  could  give  him  re- 
lief. His  work  was  finished,  and  April  30th,  1795,  he  fell 
asleep. 

Nothing  very  remarkable  transpired  at  his  death.  He  was 
pensive  and  silent.  He  told  his  wife,  that  to  live  or  die  was  to 
him  indifferent:  he  had  committed  this  to  God,  who,  he  knew, 
would  do  right.  He  said  he  felt  some  anxiety  for  his  numer- 
ous family,  but  that  these  also,  he  was  willing  to  trust  in  the 
hands  of  a  gracious  Providence. 


LEWIS    LUNSFORD, 
Early  History  and  Conversion  to  God. 

Lewis  Lfnsford  may  be  numbered  among  the  most  distin- 
guished names  which  have  adorned  the  history  of  the  Baptist 
denomination.  He  was  born  in  the  county  of  Stafford,  Virginia, 
about  the  year  1753.  In  raising  up  instruments  to  accomplish 
his  all-wise  purposes,  the  Lord  is  often  pleased  to  pour  contempt 
on  wealth  and  station  in  society,  and  to  make  his  selections 
from  the  obscure  walks  of  life.  The  weak  things  of  the  world 
are  chosen  to  confound  the  things  that  are  mighty,  that  no  flesh 
may  glory  in  his  presence. 

The  parents  of  Elder  Lunsford  were  poor,  and  from  earliest 
infancy  he  was  accustomed  to  the  hardships  peculiar  to  his  con- 
dition in  life.  Though  possessing  a  mind  of  superior  order,  the 
ample  stores  of  knowledge  were  not  in  childhood  placed  within 
his  reach.     But  for  the  grace  of  God,  which  plucked  him  as  a 


138  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

brand  from  the  burning,  and  brought  him  into  the  ministry,  his 
splendid  talents  might  have  remained  undeveloped. 

"Full  many  a  gem  of  purest  ray  serene, 
The  dark  unfathomed  caves  of  ocean  bear, 

Full  many  a  flower  is  born  to  blush  unseen, 
And  waste  its  sweetness  on  the  desert  air." 

He  was  destined,  however,  to  shine  pre-eminently,  and  with 
his  powers  consecrated  to  the  cause  of  Christ,  to  be  the  instru- 
ment of  extensive  good  to  his  fellow  men.  At  what  time  his 
conversion  took  place,  cannot,  with  precision,  be  now  determin- 
ed. It  must  have  occurred  at  an  early  period,  as  there  is  reason 
to  believe  he  was  employed  in  preaching  the  gospel  to  others 
when  not  more  than  17  years  old.  The  instrumentality  of  his 
turning  to  God  is  attributed  to  Elder  William  Fristoe,  and  by 
him  he  was  baptized. 

Entrance  into  the  Ministry. 

He  united  himself  with  the  Potomac  church,  now  called 
Hartwood,  and  began  immediately  to  proclaim  salvation  through 
the  blood  of  atonement.  He  was  discovered  by  all  to  possess 
remarkable  talents,  and  crowds  attended  his  ministry  from  every 
direction.  His  extreme  youth,  united  with  the  fluency  and 
pungency  of  his  address,  excited  astonishment.  He  was  famili- 
arly called  'the  wonderful  boy.'  It  is  justly  a  matter  of  surprise, 
amidst  the  admiration  and  flattering  attentions  he  received,  that 
he  was  not  ruined.  There  were  indicated  by  his  stability,  not 
only  native  greatness  of  mind,  but  the  guidance  and  sustentation 
of  an  Almighty  arm.  He  was  intent  on  pursuing  the  great  ob- 
ject of  extending  the  Redeemer's  glory  in  the  salvation  of  men. 
Having  been  taught  in  the  school  of  Christ,  the  value  of  the 
soul,  and  the  immensity  of  that  price  which  has  been  paid  for 
its  redemption,  all  personal  considerations  were  lost  sight  of, 
if  by  any  means  he  might  save  some. 

Extent  of  Labor,  Settlement,  $c.  &c. 
A  few  years  after  his  entrance  into  the  ministry,  he  left  his 
native  county,  and  extended  his  influence  through  all  the  coun- 


LEWIS    LUNSFORD.  139 

ties  of  the  Northern  neck  of  Virginia.  In  Westmoreland, 
Northumberland,  and  Lancaster,  especially,  did  the  Lord  make 
his  ministrations  effectual,  and  believers  were  daily  added  to  the 
church.  Several  churches  were  gathered  as  the  fruit  of  his 
toils;  the  most  prominent  of  which  are,  Nomini,  Moratico,  and 
Wicomico.  When  the  Moratico  church  was  constituted  in 
the  year  1778,  he  was  unanimously  chosen  to  be  their  pastor. 
This  relation  he  sustained  as  long  as  he  lived.  It  is  proper 
here  to  state,  that  he  was  never  ordained  by  the  imposition  of 
hands,  as  he  entertained  the  sentiment,  that  there  was  nothing 
necessarj-  to  constitute  a  valid  ordination  but  the  call  of  some 
church  to  the  work  of  a  pastor,  or  an  evangelist.  Many  of  his 
brethren  at  that  time,' considered  his  course  objectionable  in 
reference  to  this  subject;  they  were,  however,  disposed  to  make 
it  a  matter  of  forbearance,  they  loved  him  still,  and  co-operat- 
ed with  him  in  every  good  work. 

Habits  of  Study,  Talents,  $c. 

It  has  been  already  stated  that  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
by  nature  highly  gifted.  He  did  not  satisfy  himself  with  these 
endowments.  He  was  diligent  as  a  student,  and  acquired  a 
large  fund  of  useful  knowledge.  In  the  early  part  of  his  min- 
istry, when  compelled  to  labor  during  the  week,  whilst  he 
preached  on  Lord's  day,  he  was  accustomed  to  occupy  a  large 
portion  of  the  night  in  reading,  by  firelight.  When  he  settled 
in  the  Northern  neck,  he  supplied  himself  with  a  small, 
but  valuable  collection  of  books,  and  employed  all  the  time  he 
could  abstract  from  active  ministerial  labor,  in  the  cultivation 
of  his  intellectual  powers.  His  memory  was  most  retentive. 
The  stores  of  knowledge  which  he  had  accumulated  were  al- 
ways at  hand,  and  so  well  arranged,  that  when  necessary,  he 
could  bring  them  forth,  and  use  them  to  the  instruction  of  his 
auditors.  In  ability  to  make  extensive  and  accurate  quotations 
from  good  authors,  few,  if  any,  excelled  him.  Among  other 
things,  he  possessed  a  very  considerable  taste  for  the  study  of 
medicine,   and   read  the  most  approved  works  on  that  subject. 


140  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

His  medical  attainments  were  so  considerable,  that  his  services 
as  a  physician  were  frequently  solicited  by  families  residing  at 
a  distance.  The  following  reference  to  his  talents  as  a  minis- 
ter,  is  furnished  by  Elder  J.  B.  Jeter,  pastor  of  the  1st  Baptist 
church,  Richmond,  and  for  several  years  pastor  of  the  Morat- 
ico  and  Wicomico  churches  in  the  Northern  neck. 

"Lunsford  was  unquestionably  endued  with  superior  genius. 
Destitute  of  literary  acquirements,  residing  in  an  isolated  and 
obscure  part  of  the  country,  having  access  to  few  books  and 
few  enlightened  ministers,  he  rose,  by  native  vigor  of  intellect 
and  dint  of  application,  to  real  distinction.  For  this  distinction 
he  was  not  indebted  to  the  gloom  by  which  he  was  surrounded. 
He  would  have  been  distinguished  in  any  age,  or  any  country. 
I  have  conversed  with  several  intelligent  gentlemen  who  were 
intimately  acquainted  with  him,  and  who  concur  in  the  opinion 
that  his  pulpit  talents  were  of  the  first  order.  His  conceptions 
were  clear,  quick,  and  sublime-,  his  style,  though  negligent  and 
unpolished,  was  plain,  copious,  and  strong,  and  his  gestures 
were  natural  and  impassioned.'' 

"The  following  anecdote  was  related  by  a  living  clergyman, 
of  high  standing,  who  belongs  to  a  different  denomination  of 
Christians  from  that  to  which  Lunsford  belonged.  Dr.  S.  S. 
Smith,  of  Princeton,  New  Jersey,  had  engaged  to  preach  in  the 
neighborhood  of  his  appointment;  through  courtesy  to  Dr.  S., 
Lunsford  declined  preaching,  and  repaired  with  all  his  congre- 
gation to  hear  the  Dr's  sermon.  Dr.  S.  having  heard  the  fame 
of  Lunsford,  earnestly  pressed  him  to  preach.  Lunsford, 
yielding  to  his  importunity,  preached  after  Smith  had  delivered 
his  discourse.  Dr.  Smith  afterwards  remarked,  "I  had  heard 
much  of  Lunsford's  preaching,  and  was  prepared  to  hear  a 
great  sermon,  but  the  one-half  was  never  told  me.'' 

Testimony  equally  creditable  to  Elder  Lunsford,  as  a  man  of 
talents  and  an  able  speaker,  is  given  by  Mr.  Semple  in  the  follow- 
ing language.  "During  several  of  the  last  years  of  his  life,  he 
was  much  caressed,  and  his  preaching  more  valued,  than  that 
of  any  other  man  who  ever  resided  in  Virginia.    Lunsford  was 


LEWIS    HTNSFORD.  141 

a  sure  preacher.  He  seldom  failed  to  rise  pretty  high.  In 
his  best  strains  he  was  more  like  an  angel  than  a  man.  His 
countenance,  lighted  up  by  an  inward  flame,  seemed  to  shed 
beams  of  light  wherever  he  turned.  His  voice,  always  har- 
monious, often  seemed  to  be  tuned  by  descending  seraphs.  His 
style  and  his  manner,  were  so  sublime  and  so  energetic,  that 
he  was  indeed  like  an  ambassador  of  the  skies,  sent  down  to 
command  all  men,  every  where  to  repent.  He  was  truly  a 
messenger  of  peace;  and  by  him  the  tidings  of  peace  were 
communicated  to  multitudes.  So  highly  was  he  esteemed 
among  his  own  people,  that  but  few  preachers  visited  them,  to 
whom  they  would  willingly  listen,  even  for  once,  in  preference 
to  their  beloved  pastor.  He  was  also  clever  in  conversation, 
having  a  considerable  share  of  wit;  which,  in  his  cheerful  mo- 
ments, he  would  use  in  an  innocent,  but  entertaining  manner. 
In  argument,  he  inclined  somewhat  to  be  satirical;  and  by  this 
means,  sometimes  gave  offence  to  those  who  did  not  know  him 
well.  It  was,  however,  perfectly  clear,  that  he  did  not  design 
to  sport  with  the  feelings  of  any.  Probably  no  man  of  his  pop- 
ularity, ever  had  fewer  enemies." 

Usefulness,  Character,  SfC. 

Although  this  distinguished  man  was  taken  from  the  field  of 
labor  in  the  vigor  of  his  days,  but  few  have  accomplished  more 
than  he  did  for  the  extension  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  He 
was  in  various  respects  useful.  As  a  pastor  he  was  affection- 
ate and  faithful.  He  delighted  to  contribute  to  the  relief  of 
those  who  were  in  suffering  circumstances.  Being  qualified 
to  administer  in  sickness,  he  attended  the  calls  of  distress 
which  met  his  ear,  and  uniformly  without  compensation.  In 
regard  to  the  spiritual  interests  of  his  charge,  he  watched  for 
souls  as  one  who  was  to  give  account.  Mr.  Semple  says  of 
him:  "From  the  time  he  settled  in  the  Northern  neck,  and, 
indeed,  from  the  time  he  began  to  preach  there,'  he  gradually 
increased  in  favor  with  the  people.  It  is  hardly  probable  that 
any  man  ever  was  more  beloved  by  a  people  when  living,  or 
13 


142  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

more  lamented  when  dead.  He  had.  two  remarkable  revivals 
of  religion  in  the  bounds  of  his  church.  The  one  about  the 
time  of  the  constitution  of  the  church,  and  the  other  corn- 
menced  in  the  year  1788;  and  had  scarcely  subsided  at  his 
death,  in  1793.  During  these  revivals,  he  was  uncommonly 
lively  and  engaged.  He  preached  almost  incessantly;  and,  by 
his  acquaintances,  after  the  last  revival,  it  was  thought  that  he 
made  a  rapid  advance,  both  in  wisdom  and  warmth,  especially 
the  latter,  from  which  he  never  receded,  during  his  residence 
on  earth." 

A  brief  extract  from  the  communication  of  Elder  J.  B.  Jeter, 
will  in  this  place  be  furnished,  as  it  refers  to  the  character  and 
usefulness  of  Elder  Lunsford.  "Lunsford  wielded  a  powerful 
influence  in  the  Northern  neck.  His  amiable  disposition,  his 
affable  manners,  his  sprightly  conversation,  and,  above  all,  his 
unaffected  piety,  gained  him  the  esteem  of  all  good  men;  and 
his  power  of  reasoning,  the  keenness  of  his  sarcasm,  and  his 
undaunted  spirit,  made  him  a  terror  to  the  wicked.  An  aged 
man,  now  living,  states  that  he  usually  dined  at  the  tavern  at 
Lancaster  court-house  on  court  days,  and  that  the  promiscuous 
crowd  gathering  around  the  table  would  wait  with  profound 
respect  for  this  man  of  God  to  render  thanks  for  the  refresh- 
ment. He  was  eminently  useful.  A  few  are  now  living  to 
testify  the  efficiency  of  his  ministrations.  The  churches  which 
he  founded  have  enjoyed  a  large  measure  of  prosperity.  They 
evidently  bear,  in  the  present  day,  the  impress  which  hey  re- 
ceived from  his  labors. 

"If  Lunsford  were  now  living  he  would  be  an  advocate  for  the 
benevolent  institutions,  by  which  the  age  is  distinguished.  The 
Moratico  church-book  contains  an  order,  made  during  his  pas- 
torate, and  doubtless  by  his  influence,  for  making  collections 
to  aid  the  college  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  now  Brown  University. 
He  was  a  man  of  enlarged  views  and  feelings.  He  corres- 
ponded with  Isaac  Backus,  of  New  England,  and  -Dr.  Rippon, 
of  London.  With  the  Presbyterian  ministers  of  his  neighbor- 
hood, he  maintained  the  most  intimate  and  friendly  intercourse. 


LEWIS    LUNSFORD.  143 

He    appears   to  have  possessed  a  catholic  spirit  towards  all 
Christian  denominations." 


The  early  part  of  Lunsford's  ministry,  was  in  the  midst  of 
perilous  times.  No  power  of  mind,  or  attainments;  no  piety, 
zeal,  or  faithfulness,  was  sufficient  to  shield  from  the  assaults 
of  persecution.  It  was  the  portion  of  him  whose  biography 
is  now  under  consideration,  to  suffer,  at  different  times,  for  the 
name  of  Christ.  The  most  prominent  particulars  relative  to 
this  part  of  his  life,  cannot  be  better  related  than  in  the  words 
of  Elder  Semple.  Referring  to  his  early  visits  to  the  Northern 
neck,  he  says:  "Here,  as  in  most  other  places  where  the  Bap- 
tists preached,  they  criod  out  that  some  new  doctrine  was 
started;  that  the  church  was  in  danger.  Mr.  L.  was  accounted 
worthy  to  share  a  part  of  this  opposition.  A  clergyman  ap- 
pointed a  day  to  preach  against  the  Anabaptists.  Crowds  at- 
tended to  hear  him.  He  told  stories  about  Jack  ofLeyden, 
and  Cromwell's  roundheads;  but  he  could  not,  by  such  tales, 
stop  the  gospel  current,  now  swelling  to  a  torrent.  When 
Mr.  L.  preached  again  in  those  parts,  they  attacked  him  by 
more  weighty  arguments.  A  constable  was  sent  with  a  war- 
rant to  arrest  him.  The  constable  with  more  politeness  than 
is  usual  on  such  occasions,  waited  until  Mr.  Lunsford  had 
preached.  His  fascinating  powers  palsied  the  constable's  hand. 
He  would  not,  he  said,  serve  a  warrant  on  so  good  a  man. 
Another  man  took  it,  went  tremblingly,  and  served  it.  Mr. 
Lunsford  attended  the  summons,  and  appeared  before  a  magis- 
trate. He  was  held  in  a  recognizance  to  appear  at  court. 
The  court  determined,  that  he  had  been  guilty  of  a  breach  of 
good  behavior;  and  that  he  must  give  security;  or  go  to  prison. 
He  was  advised  to  give  security  under  the  expectation  of  ob- 
taining license  to  preach.  He  tried  but  could  not.  He  often 
regretted  that  he  had  taken  this  step;  and  was  sorry  he  had 
not  gone  to  prison.  This  took  place  in  Richmond  county. 
"After  the  repeal  of  the  law  for  establishing  one  sect  to  the 


144  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

exclusion  of  the  rest,  a  banditti  attended  Mr.  Lunsford's  meet- 
ing, with  sticks  and  staves,  to  attack  him.  Just  as  he  was 
about  to  begin  to  preach,  they  approached  him  for  the  attack. 
His  irreligious  friends,  contrary  to  his  wish,  determined  to  de- 
fend him.  This  produced  a  great  uproar  and  some  skirmishes. 
Mr.  Lunsford  retired  to  a  house.  The  persecutors  pursued 
him.  He  shut  himself  up;  and  they  were  not  hardy  enough 
to  break  in  to  him.  One  of  them  desired  to  have  the  privi- 
lege of  conversing  with  Mr.  L.  with  a  view  of  convincing  him. 
He  was  let  in;  and  did  converse.  When  he  came  out,  he  wore 
a  new  face.  His  party  asked  him  the  result.  You  had  better, 
said  he,  converse  with  him  yourselves." 

Sickness,   Death,  $c. 

The  following  quotations  from  Elder  Semple,  referring  to  his 
last  hours,  will  close  this  biography.  "This  great,  this  good, 
this  almost  inimitable  man,  died  when  only  about  forty  years 
of  age.  He  lived  in  a  sickly  climate,  and  had  frequent  bilious 
attacks.  These  were  sometimes  very  severe.  For  two  or 
three  years  before  his  death,  he  labored  under  repeated  indis- 
positions, even  when  travelling  about.  His  manly  soul  would 
never  permit  him  to  shrink  from  the  work,  so  long  as  he  had 
strength  to  lift  up  his  voice.  Sometimes,  after  going  to  bed 
as  being  too  ill  to  preach,  prompted  by  his  seraphic  spirit,  he 
would  rise  again,  after  some  other  person  had  preached,  and 
deal  out  the  bread  of  life  to  the  hungry  sons  and  daughters  of 
Zion." 

"The  Dover  Association,  for  the  year  1793,  was  held  at 
Glebe  Landing  meeting  house,  in  Middlesex  county.  This 
was  nearly  opposite  to  Mr.  Lunsford's,  and,  the  river  excepted, 
not  more  than  fifteen  or  eighteen  miles  from  his  house.  Al- 
though just  rising  from  a  bilious  attack,  he  would  not  stay  from 
a  place  where  his  heart  delighted  to  be,  and  where  he  had  the 
best  ground  to  believe  he  could  do  good.  He  went,  and  ap- 
peared so  much  better,  that  he  made  extensive  appointments 
to  preach  in  the  lower  parts  of  Virginia.     He  was  chosen  to 


LEWIS    LUNSFOKD.  145 

preach  on  Sunday;  and  he  did  preach  indeed.  On  Tuesday 
he  came  up  to  King  and  Queen,  and  preached  at  Bruington 
meeting  house  from  these  words:  'Therefore,  let  us  not  sleep, 
as  do  others,  but  let  us  watch  and  he  sober.'  It  was  an  awak- 
ening discourse,  worthy  of  this  masterly  workman.  On  that 
day,  he  took  cold  and  grew  worse.  He,  however,  preached 
his  last  sermon  the  next  day  evening,  observing,  when  he 
began,  'It  may  be  improper  for  me  to  attempt  to  preach  at 
this  time;  but  as  long  as  I  have  any  strength  remaining,  I 
wish  to  preach  the  gospel  of  Christ;  and  I  will  very  gladly 
spend  and  be  spent  for  you.'  He  then  preached  his  last  ser- 
mon, from  'Therefore,  being  justified  by  faith,  we  have  peace 
with  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.'  He  continued  to 
grow  worse,  until,  having  arrived  at  Mr.  Gregory's,  in  Essex, 
he  took  his  bed,  from  whence  he  was  carried  to  the  grave.  In 
his  sickness  he  was  remarkably  silent;  having  very  little  to  say, 
which  he  could  avoid.  He  was  fond  of  joining  in  prayer;  and 
sometimes  exerted  his  now  relaxed  mind,  in  making  remarks 
worthy  of  such  a  man.  He  expressed  some  anxiety  at  the 
thought  of  leaving  his  helpless  family;  but  appeared  quite  re- 
signed to  the  will  of  heaven.  On  the  26th  of  October,  1793, 
he  fell  asleep  in  the  arms  of  Jesus,  aged  about  forty  years." 

Rev.  Henry  Toler  preached  two  funeral  sermons  for  him. 
One  at  the  place  of  his  death,  another  at  Mr.  Lunsford's  meet- 
ing house  in  Lancaster  county,  called  Kilmarnock.  These 
two  sermons  were  printed  in  a  pamphlet;  and  annexed  to  them, 
were  two  handsome  elegies,  written  by  ladies  of  his  church. 
It  seemed  to  be  a  mystery  to  many,  why  God  should  have 
called  home,  so  great,  so  useful  a  man,  in  the  bloom  of  life. 
Those  who  thought  proper  to  explain  the  ways  of  Providence, 
generally  agreed  that  Mr.  Lunsford's  popularity,  as  a  preacher, 
had  risen  too  high.  The  people,  wherever  he  was,  or  where 
he  was  expected,  seemed  to  have  lost  all  relish  for  any  other 
man's  preaching;  that  God,  knowing  the  capacity  of  most  of 
his  servants,  was  unwilling  that  the  lesser  lights  should  be  so 
much  swallowed  up  by  the  greater.  Perhaps  the  better  way 
13* 


146  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

is  to  form  no  conjecture  about  it;   but  rest  persuaded,  tbat  the 
ways  of  God  are  always  wise,  however  unaccountable  to  man. 
"He  was  twice  married.     He  had  by  bis  first  wife  one  sur- 
viving child.     By  his  second  he  left  three  children." 


WILLIAM     WEBBER 


To  the  subject  of  this  sketch  are  the  Baptists  of  Virginia 
indebted,  in  no  ordinary  degree,  for  the  diffusion  of  the  pure 
gospel,  and  the  origination  of  many  of  their  churches.  As 
far  as  the  path  he  trod  may  not  be  obliterated  by  time,  it  will 
be  a  grateful  task  to  trace  his  steps,  and  to  review  the  dealings 
of  the  Lord  as  they  were  exhibited  in  his  history. 

Elder  William  Webber  was  born  August  15th,  1747,  of  re- 
spectable parentage.  Although  in  comfortable  circumstances, 
his  father  did  not  afford  him  a  liberal  education.  This  was 
the  privilege  of  (ew  in  those  days.  At  the  age  of  16,  he  left 
his  father's  house  and  was  apprenticed  to  a  housejoiner.  There 
do  not  seem  to  have  been  any  peculiar  indications  of  serious- 
ness, until  his  23d  year,  when  he  heard  the  sound  of  salvation 
proclaimed  by  some  of  the  Baptist  preachers,  and  became  con- 
cerned about  his  soul's  interests.  He  found  joy  and  peace  in 
Christ  Jesus,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  John  Waller.  At 
that  period  not  one  of  the  churches  now  in  the  Dover  Associa- 
tion, had  been  constituted,  and  he  united  with  the  lower  Spot- 
sylvania church,  that  being  most  contiguous  to  his  residence. 
A  short  period  subsequent  to  his  connection  with  the  church, 
he  was  ordained.  Several  years  after  his  entrance  into  the 
ministry,  he  was  almost  exclusively  engaged  in  itinerant  labor. 
In  the  counties  south  of  James  river,  he  travelled  extensively. 
In  lower  Virginia,  also,  he  was  most  indefatigably  employed 
in  pointing  sinners  to  the  Lamb  of  God.  In  1774,  he  was  in- 
vited to  the   pastorate  of  the   Dover  church,  from  which   the 


WILLTAM    WEBBER.  147 

Dover  Association  took  its  name.  This  invitation  lie  accepted, 
and  continued  to  sustain  the  relation  as  long  as  he  lived. 

The  seals  to  Elder  Webber's  ministry  were  numerous.  He 
whom  he  served,  had  made  him  wise  to  win  souls.  Churches 
in  various  places  sprang  up  as  the  result  of  his  self-denying 
toils.  And  when  the  pressure  of  domestic  duties,  and  the 
maintenance  of  a  growing  family,  necessarily  abridged  his  la- 
bors; he  was  still  useful  in  his  own  neighborhood.  The  gene- 
ral influence  he  possessed,  qualified  him  to  do  good  on  an  ex- 
tensive scale.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first  meeting  of  the 
General  Association,  in  1771.  With  but  few  exceptions,  he 
was  called  to  preside  over  the  deliberations  of  this  body,  as 
well  as  the  meeting  of  the  general  convention  of  Virginia  Bap- 
tists. After  the  organization  of  the  Dover  Association,  he  was 
for  fourteen  years,  in  succession,  elected  to  fill  the  chair.  For 
this  office  he  seems,  in  many  respects,  to  have  been  well  quali- 
fied: not,  indeed,  by  elegance  of  manners,  but  by  an  unosten- 
tatious simplicity.  He  was,  in  the  true  sense  of  the  word,  dig- 
nified in  his  address,  and  commanded  the  respect  of  all. 

It  will  be  expected  that  something  be  said  concerning  his 
talents.  In  the  pulpit  he  was  distinguished  by  the  plain,  art- 
less manner  in  which  he  exhibited  the  truth.  There  was  not 
indicated  in  his  public  addresses,  more  than  ordinary  depth  of 
mind.  It  is  said,  however,  that  in  the  social  circle  he  dis- 
played much  mental  vigor.  Mr.  Semple  remarks,  that  "he 
was  a  man  of  sound  and  correct  judgment,  well  acquainted 
with  mankind,  well  versed  in  the  scriptures,  sound  in  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  gospel,  and  ingenious  in  defending  them."  Ashe 
commenced  his  ministry  in  those  times,  when  a  corrupt  estab- 
lishment prevailed,  it  could  not  be  expected  that  he  would  es- 
cape the  indignation  of  the  dominant  party.  By  their  unholy 
persecutions,  he  suffered  much,  in  a  very  early  part  of  his  ca- 
reer, as  a  preacher  of  righteousness.  It  has  been  already  said 
that  his  labors  in  the  counties  south  of  James  river,  were  ex- 
tensively useful.  A  few  months  after  his  ordination,  he,  with 
Joseph  Anthony,  was   arrested  in    the  counly  of  Chesterfield, 


148  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

and,  in  the  midst  of  winter,  committed  to  prison.  He  might 
have  been  released  immediately  after  his  apprehension,  had  he 
been  willing  to  give  bond  and  security  that  he  would  no  more 
speak  in  the  name  of  Christ.  This  he  refused  to  do.  He  re" 
mained  in  confinement  three  months.  During  this  period  he 
was  not  unemployed,  nor  useless.  Such  was  the  interest  which 
had  been  excited  in  the  county  by  his  previous  labors,  that 
crowds  frequently  assembled  around  the  jail,  and  from  the 
grates  they  heard,  with  joyful  hearts,  the  message  of  a  Saviour's 
love.  The  wicked  designs  of  his  persecutors  were  utterly 
defeated:  for  the  word  of  the  Lord  mightily  prevailed.  Many 
believed  the  gospel,  and  acknowleged  the  Lord  Jesus  as  their 
Redeemer  and  king.  Perhaps  in  no  portion  of  his  life,  did 
Elder  Webber  prosecute  more  successfully  his  labors  of  love. 
This  was  not  the  only  trial  of  this  kind  to  which  he  was  sub- 
jected. The  very  next  year,  while  on  a  tour  of  preaching,  in 
company  with  Elder  John  Waller,  through  some  of  the  lower 
counties,  he  was  again  seized  by  the  enemies  of  the  truth. 
This  occurred  in  the  county  of  Middlesex,  on  the  10th  of  Au- 
gust, 1771,  while  he  was  addressing  the  congregation,  from 
the  words,  "Show  me  thy  faith  without  thy  works,  and  I  will 
show  thee  my  faith  by  my  works."  He  was  assailed  by  a  ma- 
gistrate, who,  with  a  club,  endeavored  to  strike  him  to  the 
earth.  In  this  he  was  prevented  by  those  who  were  present. 
Having,  however,  a  warrant  to  apprehend  all  who  preached, 
he,  in  company  with  the  parson  of  the  parish  and  a  sheriff, 
proceeded  to  take  Mr.  Webber,  with  several  others.  Their 
saddle-bags  were  searched;  and,  finding  nothing  which  might 
afford  a  pretext  for  the  charge  of  treason,  they  were  required, 
on  pain  of  imprisonment,  to  promise  they  would  not  preach 
again  in  that  county.  To  obey  God,  rather  than  man,  they 
preferred — even  at  the  peril  of  liberty  or  life.  They  were 
committed  to  prison  and  closely  confined  in  cells  of  the  most 
disagreeable  character.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  felt  happy 
in  being  counted  worthy  thus  to  suffer  for  the  name  of  Christ. 
On  the  next  court  day,  he  and  his  fellow  prisoners  were  attend- 


WILLIAM    WEBBER.  149 

ed  by  a  guard  to  the  court-house  for  trial.  Not  being  willing 
to  yield  his  right  to  preach  the  gospel,  as  the  terms  of  release, 
he  was  remanded  to  prison.  His  sufferings  were  extreme. 
He  was  allowed  by  the  court  nothing  but  bread  and  water. 
This,  with  confinement  in  a  close  and  offensive  room,  produced 
sickness.  In  his  affliction,  he  experienced  the  sympathies  of 
many  in  the  county;  and  such  was  the  influence  of  patient  en- 
durance of  these  sufferings,  on  the  public  mind,  that  his  perse- 
cutors were  willing,  at  length,  to  liberate  him  and  his  compan- 
ions. He  was  more  than  six  weeks  in  their  hands,  four  of 
which  were  spent  in  close  confinement. 

The  severe  trials  endured  by  him,  prove  the  malignity  of 
that  hatred  with  which  the  enemies  of  the  cross  opposed  the 
servants  of  Jesus.  It  might  be  supposed,  he  was,  of  all  men, 
least  likely  to  suffer  at  the  hands  of  the  wicked,  as  he  possessed 
the  most  lamb-like  disposition.  They  hated  him,  however,  on 
account  of  the  truth  which  he  vindicated.  His  was  persecution 
"for  righteousness'  sake." 

In  the  neighborhood  where,  mostly,  in  the  latter  part  of  his 
life,  he  preached  the  gospel,  the  most  marked  respect  was  shown 
him  by  all  classes.  The  churches  for  which  he  labored,  were 
much  attached  to  him.  How  could  it  be  otherwise?  In  all 
his  intercourse  with  the  world,  he  maintained  a  spotless  charac- 
ter. Affectionate  in  his  disposition,  those  with  whom  he  was 
more  intimate,  most  ardently  loved  him.  He  was  a  cheerful, 
interesting  companion.  What  served,  most  of  all,  to  throw  a 
lustre  over  his  whole  character,  was  his  unaffected  and  habitual 
devotion  to  the  service  of  the  Redeemer.  He  seemed  to  aim, 
in  mingling  with  others,  to  do  good  and  to  exalt  the  Saviour. 
To  speak  of  Christ  was  his  delight.  The  art  of  giving  a  pro- 
fitable direction  to  conversation,  was  possessed  by  him  in  no 
small  degree. 

He  lived  to  the  age  of  sixty-two  years.  For  seven  or  eight 
years  before  his  death,  his  health  was  exceedingly  feeble.  His 
last  illness  was  of  long  continuance,  during  which,  he  gave 
pleasing  evidence  of  the  consoling  and  supporting  influence  of 


150  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

that  gospel  which  he  had  so  long  and  so  faithfully  preached  to 
others.  He  who  had  been  with  him  in  the  dungeon,  and  en- 
abled him  to  sing  praises  amidst  insult  and  suffering,  was  now 
near  to  illume  his  way  as  he  passed  through  the  dark  valley  of 
the  shadow  of  death.  A  short  time  previous  to  his  death,  he 
was  visited  by  Elder  Benjamin  Watkins  of  Powhatan,  who 
found  him  in  a  most  rapturous  state  of  mind.  "Brother  Wat- 
kins,''  said  he,  "I  never  had  such  glorious  manifestations  of 
the  love  of  God  as  I  have  enjoyed  since  my  sickness.  O  the 
love  of  God!"  Thus,  with  heaven  in  view  and  heaven  in  his  soul, 
he  left  the  earth  on  February  29th,  in  the  year  1808. 


JOHN    ALDERSON,     JR, 


John  Alderson  was  the  son  of  Elder  John  Alderson,  sen. 
and  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  March  5th,  1738,  O.  S.  In  his 
17th  year  his  father  settled  in  Rockingham  county,  Virginia, 
and  took  charge  of  the  Lynnville  creek  church.  At  that  time 
western  Virginia  was  comparatively  a  wilderness,  having  but 
few  inhabitants.  Shortly  after  the  removal  of  his  father,  he 
took  an  extensive  tour,  for  the  purpose  of  exploring  the  country. 
During  this  journey,  the  burning  spring  near  Charleston,  was 
discovered,  which  produced  considerable  alarm  among  their 
company. 

In  his  21st  year,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Carroll. 
He  continued,  several  years  after  this  event,  wedded  to  the 
world  and  negligent  of  eternal  things,  although  he  was  often 
the  subject  of  partial  concern.  It  was  not  until  he  had  reached 
the  meridian  of  life,  that  his  heart  was  surrendered  to  the 
Prince  of  peace.  Having  suffered  severe  affliction  in  the  loss 
of  an  only  daughter,  whom  he  dearly  loved,  and  in  the  experi- 
ence of  severe  illness  himself,  he  began  to  think;  some  remarks 
of  his  father  also  were  carried  with  power  to  his  heart,  and  he 
awoke  to  the  consciousness  of  his  lost  condition.     The  follow- 


JOHN    ALDERSON,    JR.  151 

ing  is  his  own  acconnt  of  his  conversion: — "My  father  being 
much  from  home,  and  1  being  the  oldest  son,  much  dependence 
was  placed  on  me,  to  take  care  of  the  farm;  so  that  I  had  very 
little  opportunity  to  learn.  The  chief  books  I  read,  were  the 
Bible  and  the  Baptist  Catechism;  which  last  1  memorised; 
and  not  only  said  it  over  at  school,  but  also  in  the  public  con- 
gregations, on  Sundays,  after  sermon.  By  these  means  I  was 
kept  from  all  gross  immoralities.  By  an  expression  dropped 
from  my  father,  after  1  had  recovered  from  a  very  severe  sick- 
ness, my  mind  was  solemnly  impressed.  After  passing  through 
a  painful  and  tedious  law-work,  in  which  I  would  make  reso- 
lutions and  then  break  them,  1  became  more  deeply  concerned. 
I  sought  the  Lord  with  my  whole  heart,  and,  ultimately,  ob- 
tained comfort,  great  comfort,  by  reflection  on  these  words: — 
Ye  'are  built  upon  the  foundation  of  the  apostles  and  prophets, 
Jesus  Christ  himself  being  the  chief  corner  stone.' '' 

It  must  have  been  pleasing  to  his  venerable  father  to  baptize 
this  son.  He  had  himself  been  toiling  almost  alone,  amid 
trials  and  dangers,  and  now  he  enjoyed  the  prospect  of  assist- 
ance in  the  person  of  his  own  son.  He  was  not  long  without 
this  assistance.  After  much  anxiety  of  mind  on  the  question 
of  duty,  he  was  at  length,  by  the  great  Master  thrust  into 
the  vineyard.  Respecting  this  matter,  he  says,  "After  many 
doubts  as  to  my  conversion,  I  began  at  last  to  be  exercised 
about  preaching.  At  first,  I  thought  it  impossible  that  so  weak 
a  creature  as  1,  could  be  called  to  preach;  but  being  persuaded 
at  last,  by  many  divine  tokens,  that  it  was  the  will  of  God,  I 
entered  upon  the  solemn  work.'' 

His  father  having  about  this  time  removed  to  Bottetourt 
county,  he  was  ordained  and  took  charge  of  the  Lynnville  creek 
church,  Oct.  1775.  He  did  not  remain  iu  Rockingham  more 
than  two  years.  Having  two  or  three  times  visited  Green- 
brier, the  indications  of  Providence  were  such,  that  in  1777,  he 
conceived  it  his  duty  to  settle  in  that  county.  The  account  of 
his  removal  and  subsequent  labors  are  thus  referred  to  by  one 
of  his  descendants. 


152  BioGRAPny  of 

"In  the  year  1777  he  removed  to  Monroe  (at  that  time 
Greenbrier  county)  and  settled  on  Greenbrier  river.  The 
few  inhabitants  that  were  then  to  be  found  in  this  region  of 
country  were  not  unfrequently  harrassed  by  the  inroads  of 
frontier  Indians.  The  object  of  Mr.  Alderson's  removal  was 
to  extend  the  Christian  religion  among  this  people.  Until 
he  came  among  them,  they  had  been  entirely  destitute  of 
preaching.  When  unmolested  by  the  savages,  he  preached 
to  the  people  assembled  in  such  places  as  were  most  conve- 
nient; when  they  were  necessitated  to  shut  themselves  up  in 
their  forts,  he  travelled  from  one  garrison  to  another  to  preach, 
sometimes  defended  by  a  small  guard — at  other  times  his  only 
defence  was  the  arms  which  he  bore.  He  frequently  met  with 
opposition.  On  one  occassion  the  occupants  of  a  fort  refused 
his  entrance.  They  at  length,  permitted  him  to  preach. 
Seven  years  he  labored  in  this  field  without  seeing  a  single 
Baptist  minister.  In  the  mean  time  he  had  the  pleasure  of 
baptizing  a  few  individuals.  Others,  who  belonged  to  the 
church  of  which  he  was  formerly  pastor,  had  removed  to  this 
settlement.  Of  these,  making  in  all  twelve  persons,  he  suc- 
ceeded in  forming  the  Greenbrier  church,  Nov.  24th,  1781. 
This  was  the  first  Baptist  church  that  was  planted  in  western 
Virginia.  But  very  few  were  added  to  the  original  number 
until  the  year  1785.  In  the  fall  of  this  year  a  revival  com- 
menced, which  continued  until  1791.  Though  our  forefathers 
termed  this  a  revival,  during  the  whole  period  above  mentioned, 
only  twenty-four  persons  were  baptized.  The  excitement  that 
was  produced  had  a  very  powerful  effect  upon  the  whole  region 
of  country.  The  mouths  of  opposers  were  stopped,  and  the 
popular  sentiment,  in  regard  to  religion,  was  much  changed. 
The  bounds  of  the  Greenbrier  church  included  all  that  district 
that  now  composes  the  Greenbrier  Association.  The  influ- 
ence of  the  revival  was  of  course  extensive." 

As  the  truth  continued  to  spread,  other  churches  were  con- 
stituted; the  principal  of  which  were  Indian  creek  and  Big 
Levels.     For  many  years  he  was  the  pastor  of  Indian  creek, 


JOHN    ALDERSON,  JR.  15;J 

and  was  in  the  habit  of  riding  the  distance  of  18  miles,  regularly, 
to  preach  for  them.  In  the  midst  of  his  heavy  labors  and 
trials  in  the  ministry,  he  was  compelled,  with  his  own  hands, 
to  support  a  growing  family.  Notwithstanding  this,  he  was 
remarkable  for  his  punctuality  in  fulfilling  his  preaching  en- 
gagements, lie  never  failed  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the 
association,  and  was  usually  chosen  to  occupy  the  chair.  As 
a  disciplinarian,  he  was  so  distinguished  that  he  was  frequently 
consulted  in  matters  of  difficulty,  both  between  individual 
members  and  churches.  It  was  his  heart's  delight  to  respond 
to  the  calls  of  duty. 

During  the  year  1805,  his  bosom  companion,  who  was  a 
member  of  the  same  church  with  himself,  and  who  had  shared 
largely  with  him  in  all  his  trials,  was  removed  from  his  em- 
braces. This  he  considered  the  severest  affliction  he  had  ever 
realized.  For  some  time  he  was  exceedingly  depressed,  but 
ultimately  found  the  trial  eminently  sanctified  to  his  spiritual 
good,  and  promotive  of  his  usefulness.  He  determined  to  give 
up  his  worldly  pursuits,  and  consecrate  his  time  more  exclu- 
sively to  the  work  of  preaching  the  gospel.  To  this  purpose 
he  adhered,  and  with  apostolic  zeal,  employed  his  talents  for 
the  good  of  the  churches.  As  he  advanced  in  age,  his  labors 
were  more  circumscribed,  but  still,  in  his  own  immediate  vi- 
cinity, he  was  constantly  engaged. 

Two  years  previous  to  his  decease,  his  physical  powers  in  a 
great  measure  failed,  so  that  he  was  unable  to  travel,  or  preach. 
For  his  accommodation,  several  sessions  of  the  Greenbrier 
Association  were  held  at  the  Greenbrier  meeting  house.  On 
one  of  these  occasions,  a  gentlemen,  who  regarded  him  as  the 
instrument  of  his  conversion,  and  who  had  for  many  years 
been  connected  with  the  Methodist  church,  presented  himself 
as  a  candidate  for  baptism.  In  relating  the  exercises  of  his 
mind  to  the  church,  Elder  Alderson,  seated  in  his  arm-chair, 
became  so  overcome  by  the  ecstasy  of  his  feelings,  that  he 
broke  out  in  a  most  impassioned  exhortation,  at  the  same  time 
expressing  his  gratitude  to  God,  for  the  distinguished  favors  he 
14 


154  BIOGRAPHY     OF 

had  received.  The  effect  was  electrical.  The  whole  congre- 
gation was  deeply  affected.  This  was  the  last  time  he  ever 
appeared  in  public.  Having  made  a  disposition  of  his  property, 
a  portion  of  which  he  directed  to  be  appropriated  to  benevo- 
lent purposes,  several  of  the  last  months  of  his  life  were  spent 
with  his  son,  Joseph  Alderson.  Excepting  great  feebleness, 
he  enjoyed  good  health,  and  possessed,  in  vigorous  exercise,  his 
mental  powers.  Especially,  was  this  the  fact,  in  reference  to 
the  things  of  the  kingdom.  He  delighted  to  converse  on 
heavenly  subjects,  and  exhibited  the  spectacle  of  an  aged  vete- 
ran who  was  ready  to  be  offered,  and  the  time  of  whose  de- 
parture was  at  hand.  He  had  fought  a  good  fight,  he  had 
finished  his  course,  he  had  kept  the  faith.  It  was  his  privilege 
to  enjoy  the  well-grounded  assurance  of  receiving  a  crown  of 
life.  He  still,  more  than  ever,  manifested  an  anxiety  for  the 
prosperity  of  the  churches,  and  the  dissemination  of  the  gospel. 

In  January,  1821,  he  was  suddenly  attacked  with  illness, 
while  standing  on  his  feet,  and  by  some  of  his  family  was 
caught  and  laid  upon  his  bed,  from  which  he  never  again  rose. 
He  lingered  for  several  weeks,  and  at  length  expired,  March 
5th,  1821.  His  remains  were  deposited  in  the  hurial  ground 
of  Greenbrier  church,  there  to  rest  peacefully,  until  the  resur- 
rection morn. 

Two  or  three  additional  allusions  to  this  servant  of  God  will 
close  the  sketch.  He  was  a  man  of  fervent  piety,  and  un- 
blemished life.  He  possessed  the  confidence  and  respect  of 
all.  With  plain,  unostentatious  demeanor,  and  a  zeal  accord- 
ing to  knowledge,  he  proved  that  he  was  "honest  in  a  sacred 
cause."  Such  practical  marks  of  adherence  to  the  will  of 
God,  are  more  effectual  in  winning  men  from  the  path  of 
death,  than  the  most  talented  and  eloquent  discourses. 

Elder  Alderson  possessed  an  intellect  naturally  vigorous. 
Had  he  passed  his  early  days  in  a  region  and  time  in  which 
the  opportunity  of  obtaining  education  was  enjoyed,  he  would 
doubtless  have  shone  among  the  most  distinguished  of  his  age. 
But  living   in  a  region  comparatively   uncultivated,  and    being 


DAVID     BARROW.  155 

accustomed,  from  childhood,  to  labor  for  a  maintenance,  such 
advantages  were  denied.  He  was  however  not  negligent  in 
the  improvement  of  his  talents.  As  far  as  he  was  permitted, 
by  the  claims  of  a  dependent  family,  and  the  loud  call  for  labor 
in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  he  applied  himself  to  reading,  and 
was,  to  a  considerable  extent,  successful  in  the  cultivation  of 
his  mind.  His  preaching  was  of  a  doctrinal  cast,  yet  highly 
practical.  He  delighted  to  dwell  on  the  atonement  of  Christ, 
and  to  recommend  Him  to  the  attention  of  men. 

He  was,  without  doubt,  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  of 
the  Baptist  denomination,  in  western  Virginia,  and  it  may  be 
doubted,  whether  in  any  part  of  the  state,  one  more  self-denying, 
and  devoted,  could  have  been  found.  Many  soub,  at  the  last 
great  day,  will  hail  him  as  the  instrument  of  recovery,  from 
the  yawning  pit.  No  higher  distinction  need  be  sought  in 
this  world,  than  that  to  which  he  aspired.  To  do  good  was 
his  beloved  employ.  He  now  rests  from  his  labors,  and  his 
works  do  follow  him. 


DAVID     BARROW 


The  time  and  place  of  Elder  Barrow's  birth,  is  not  known; 
nor  can  any  distinct  circumstances,  connected  with  his  conver- 
sion and  entrance  into  the  ministry,  be  ascertained.  All  that 
is  now  known,  pertains  to  his  useful  labors  in  Virginia  and 
Kentucky,  after  he  began  to  preach  the  gospel.  It  is  believed 
he  was  baptized  by  Elder  Zechariah  Thompson,  and  united 
with  a  Baptist  church,  in  Brunswick  county.  His  ministry 
commenced  in  that  county,  in  1771.  From  this  period  he  was 
a  burning  and  shining  light,  among  the  churches  of  lower  Vir- 
ginia. It  was  not  until  1774,  that  he  was  regularly  employed 
in  the  pastoral  office.  About  this  time,  the  Mill  swamp  church, 
in  Isle  of  Wight  county,  was  constituted,  and  Elder  Barrow 
unanimously  invited  to  become  their  under-shepherd. 


156  BIOGRAPHY     OF 

The  year  after  his  ordination  and  settlement,  with  this  church, 
trials  of  a  very  serious  character,  were  realized  by  the  breth- 
ren of  the  Kehukee  Association,  in  consequence  of  unscriptural 
sentiments  and  practices,  which  had  begun  to  prevail,  to  a 
considerable  extent.  In  the  language  of  one  of  their  histo- 
rians, "Several  of  those  churches,  that  at  first  belonged  to  the 
Kehukee  Association,  were  gathered  by  the  Free-will  Baptists, 
and  as  their  custom  was  to  baptize  any  persons  who  were  will- 
ing, whether  they  had  an  experience  of  grace  or  not,  they  had 
many  members,  and  ministers,  in  their  churches,  who  were 
baptized  before  they  were  converted;  and  after  they  were 
brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  joined  the  Regulars, 
openly  confessed  they  were  baptized  before  they  believed. 
Some  of  them  said  they  supposed  they  should  reach  heaven  by 
it.  Several  of  their  ministers  confessed  they  had  preached 
and  administered  the  ordinance  of  baptism  to  others,  before 
they  were  themselves  converted;  and  so  zealous  were  they  for 
baptism,  that  one  of  their  preachers  confessed,  if  he  could  find 
any  willing  to  be  baptized,  and  it  was  in  the  night,  he  would 
immerse  them  by  fire-light,  lest  they  should  determine  other- 
wise, before  the  next  morning.'' 

Against  this  system  of  baptismal  regeneration,  a  few  bold 
spirits  maintained  a  firm  and  persevering  opposition.  Among 
those  who  contended  earnestly  for  the  faith,  as  it  was  once 
delivered  to  the  saints,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was,  perhaps, 
the  most  intelligent  and  unyielding.  He  insisted  that  men 
were  to  be  baptized,  not  to  make  them  Christians,  but  because 
they  were  already  such,  and  because  this  institution  was  de- 
signed to  be  the  significant  mode,  by  which  forgiven  believers 
were  publicly  to  profess  allegiance  to  the  king  of  Zion.  Other 
unscriptural  views,  also,  he  opposed.  There  is  reason  to  be- 
lieve, that  his  influence  was  greatly  blessed,  in  arresting  the 
tide  of  error,  which  was  beginning  to  set  in  upon  the  churches. 

As  Mr.  Barrow  lived  in  a  day  when  the  contest  was  going 
on  between  the  friends  and  foes  of  religious  liberty,  he  became 
one  of  the  principal  leaders  of  reform,  and  employed  his  talents 


DAVID    BARROW.  157 

and  influence,  to  obtain  a  change  in  many  of  the  then  existing 
and  oppressive  laws  of  Virginia.  At  the  meetings  of  the  Asso- 
ciation, he  most  eloquently  vindicated  the  right  of  all  men  to 
worship  God,  according  to  their  wishes,  and  urged  his  brethren 
to  maintain  a  united  and  immovable  stand  against  those  enact- 
ments which  took  away  this  right.  Nor  was  he  unsuccess- 
ful. A  strong  public  sentiment  was  created  in  lower  Virginia, 
which  assisted  to  bring  about  a  repeal  of  laws,  as  injurious  in 
their  influence,  as  they  were  unjust  in  themselves. 

Elder  Barrow  had  himself  smarted  beneath  the  severe  hand 
of  persecution.  Several  times  it  was  attempted  to  prevent  him 
from  filling  his  appointments.  His  sufferings  were  frequently 
painful.  "In  1778,  he  received  an  invitation  to  preach  at  the 
house  of  a  «entleman  who  lived  on  Nansemond  river,  near  the 
mouth  of  James  river.  A  ministering  brother  accompanied 
him.  They  were  informed,  on  their  arrival,  that  they  might 
expect  rough  usage;  and  so  it  happened.  As  soon  as  the  hymn 
was  given  out,  a  gang  of  well  dressed  men  came  up  to  the 
sta^e,  which  had  been  erected  under  some  trees,  and  sung  one 
of  their  obscene  songs.  They  then  undertook  to  plunge  both 
of  the  preachers.  They  plunged  Mr.  Barrow  twice,  pressing 
him  into  the  mud,  and  holding  him  down,  nearly  succeeded  in 
drowning  him.  In  the  midst  of  their  mocking,  they  asked  him 
if  he  believed,  and  throughout,  treated  him  with  the  most  bar- 
barous insolence  and  outrage.  His  companion  they  plunged 
but  once.  The  whole  assembly  was  shocked,  the  women 
shrieked,  but  no  one  durst  interfere,  for  about  twenty  stout 
fellows  were  engaged  in  this  horrid  measure.  They  insulted 
and  abused  the  gentleman  who  had  invited  them  to  preach,  and 
every  one  who  spoke  a  word  in  their  favor.  Before  these  per- 
secuted men  could  change  their  clothes,  they  were  dragged 
from  the  house,  and  driven  off*  by  these  enraged  churchmen. 
But,  three  or  four  of  them  died  in  a  few  weeks,  in  a  distracted 
manner,  and  one  of  them  wished  himself  in  hell,  before  he  had 
joined  the  company,"  &c. 

Among  other  important  matters,  to  which  the  attention  of 
14* 


158  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

the  churches  was  called,  by  Eider  Barrow,  was  the  subject  of 
domestic  missions.  This  he  urged  at  various  meetings  of  the 
Association,  and  to  some  extent,  succeeded  in  obtaining  the 
consent  of  his  Kehukee  brethren  to  supply  the  destitution 
within  their  own  limits.  He  was  also  active  in  the  inculcation 
of  a  duty,  which  had  been  much  neglected  by  the  churches, 
viz.  the  support  of  the  ministry.  It  is  to  be  lamented,  that  the 
extortions  of  the  Episcopal  clergy,  should  have  driven  our 
brethren  to  the  other  extreme;  many  not  only  failed  to  teach 
and  enforce  the  obligation  of  the  churches,  to  provide  for  the 
maintenance  of  their  pastors,  but  declaimed  and  wrote  against 
it.  Elder  Barrow,  however,  took  a  scriptural  view  of  this  sub- 
ject, and  was  not  unwilling  to  disclose  it. 

Elder  Barrow  continued  with  the  Kehukee  Association,  until 
the  Portsmouth  Association  was  formed.  This  occurred  in 
1791,  when  the  churches  in  Kehukee  were  forty-two  in  number, 
while  the  new  body  contained  nineteen  churches.  These  last 
were  all  in  Virginia.  During  his  continuance  with  the  parent 
association,  Mr.  Barrow  was  one  of  her  most  efficient  sons. 
He  was  always  found  taking  an  enlightened  and  dignified  course, 
in  the  deliberations  of  her  annual  meetings.  And  when  the 
new  association  was  organized,  he  remained  the  same  active 
and  judicious  friend  of  every  good  word  and  work.  During 
his  short  connexion  with  them,  he  was  several  times  called  to 
occupy  the  chair.  In  1797,  he  removed  to  Kentucky,  much 
to  the  regret  of  many  friends  of  enlightened  piety,  in  Virginia. 
While  he  lived,  he  was  a  useful  minister  of  the  gospel,  although 
some  difficulty  was  created  by  his  peculiar  views,  on  the  subject 
of  slavery.  His  death  occurred  about  the  year  1814,  having 
reached  a  good  old  age,  and  spent,  by  far,  the  greater  part  of 
his  life,  in  preaching  the  gospel  of  the  blessed  God.  His  age, 
at  the  time  of  his  dismissal  from  the  earth,  was  about  seventy- 
five  years. 

Elder  Barrow  possessed  a  discriminating  mind.  His  talents 
were  of  a  high  order.  It  is  much  to  be  questioned,  whether  as 
a  speaker,  he  has  ever  been  excelled  by  any  Baptist  minister  of 


JAMES   BELL.  159 

Virginia,  or  Kentucky.  He  rarely  attended  an  association, 
when  he  was  not  chosen  to  occupy  the  pulpit,  on  Lord's  day. 
His  discourses  were  expressed  with  clearness,  and  furnished 
with  the  happiest  illustrations.  He  was  a  man  of  peace;  of 
uncommon  meekness;  and  but  few  holier  men  have  been  found 
in  the  gospel  ministry  in  modern  times.  Religion  was  the 
general  topic  of  conversation  wherever  he  went:  and  into 
whatever  society  he  might  enter  by  godly  conversation,  and 
fervent  prayer,  he  would  be  known  as  a  minister  of  the  Lord 
Jesus.  "He  magnified  his  office;''  and  while  his  sermons 
were  argumentative  and  doctrinal,  he  was  regarded  as  a  "Son 
of  consolation,"  confirming  the  souls  of  the  disciples  wherever 
he  preached. 

As  a  pastor,  he  was  much  beloved,  and  highly  useful.  He 
presided,  in  this  capacity,  over  the  churches  of  South  quay, 
Mill  swamp,  and  Black  creek,  in  Virginia,  and. over  others 
after  he  removed  to  Kentucky.  Many,  through  his  instru- 
mentality, were  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  in- 
structed in  the  things  of  the  kingdom. 


JAMES     BELL, 

Elder  James  Bell  was  born  in  Sussex  county,  in  1745. 
His  parents  were  connected  with  the  Episcopal  church,  and 
conformed  to  all  its  externals,  while  it  seems  they  did  not  make 
any  pretensions  to  renewal  of  heart.  Their  children  being 
educated  to  regard  the  forms  of  episcopary,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  continued  his  adherence  until  his  conversion  to  God. 

Of  his  earlier  years  but  little  is  known,  excepting,  that  in 
childhood  he  gave  indications  of  a  mind  highly  gifted  by  nature. 
When  he  arrived  at  manhood,  and  a  full  developement  of  his 
talents  was  made,  he  became  the  subject  of  much  admiration 
and  esteem.  He  was  invited  to  several  important  offices,  in 
Sussex  county,  which  he  accepted  and  filled,  to  the  satisfaction 


160  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

of  all.  Having  been  urged  to  become  a  candidate  for  the 
General  Assembly,  of  Virginia,  he  was  elected  by  a  large 
majority.  The  county  was  represented  by  him  for  many  years, 
during  which  time  he  became  increasingly  popular,  and  enjoyed 
the  respect,  not  only  of  his  own  county-men,  but  of  many  of 
the  surrounding  counties. 

In  the  midst  of  this  prosperity  he  lived  without  God.  How 
strangely  does  the  perverseness  of  the  human  heart  exhibit 
itself,  by  a  proud  neglect  of  the  bible  and  its  requirements,  in 
proportion  to  the  number  and  variety  of  earthly  blessings  en- 
joyed. Especially  when  elevation  in  official  dignity  is  attained, 
are  men  prone  to  look  down  with  contempt  on  those  obligations 
imposed  by  the  God  of  heaven.  It  is  esteemed  a  meanness  to 
embrace  the  doctrines  and  obey  the  precepts  of  Him  who  died 
on  the  cross.  Thus  it  was  with  Mr.  Bell.  But  God,  who  is 
rich  in  mercy,  subdued  the  enmity  of  his  heart,  and  led  him 
into  the  path  of  life.  Thoughtfulness  on  divine  things  was  at 
first  occasioned  by  a  visit  of  his  brother  Benjamin,  who,  for 
some  years  had  resided  at  the  south,  and  who  had  become  a 
member  of  ihe  Baptist  church.  The  relation  his  brother  gave 
of  the  change  he  had  experienced,  and  the  affectionate  concern 
which  was  manifested  for  his  welfare,  affected  him  deeply.  His 
eyes  were  opened  to  discover  his  own  miserable  condition,  and 
in  the  anguish  of  his  soul,  he  began  to  inquire  for  the  way  of 
salvation.  He  was  brought  into  a  new  world.  Christ  became 
the  foundation  of  his  hopes,  and  exceedingly  precious  to  bis 
heart.  The  whole  current  of  his  desires  and  habits  now  re- 
ceived a  new  direction.  He  renounced  his  worldly  honors;  not 
because  he  esteemed  the  occupancy  of  honorable  stations  in 
civil  life  inconsistent  with  his  relation  to  Christ,  but  because  he 
felt  it  his  duty  to  spend  his  days  in  preaching  the  gospel.  Ac- 
cordingly baring  been  baptized  by  Elder  John  Meglamare,  he 
began  to  recommend  the  service  of  his  new  Master  to  all  around 
him. 

The  baptism  of  Elder  Bell  occurred  in  1770.  He  attached 
himself  to  the  church  called   Raccoon  swamp,  and   continued 


JAMES    GARNETT.  161 

among  them  until  within  a  short  time  previous  to  his  death, 
when  he  joined  Sappony  church.  After  laboring  for  sometime 
as  an  itinerant,  he  was  called  to  take  the  pastoral  care  of  Sappony 
church.  He  was  instrumental  in  winning  many  souls  to  God, 
and  building  up  the  churches.  He  was  zealous  in  the  perform- 
ance of  his  work,  and  his  zeal  was  according  to  knowledge. 
The  unblemished  character  which  he  sustained,  did  much  to 
make  his  ministry  useful.  All  respected  him  as  a  consistent 
follower  of  the  Redeemer.  The  ministerial  career  of  this  ser- 
vant of  God  was  short.  His  death  occurred,  September,  1778, 
about  eight  years  after  his  connection  with  the  church,  and  in 
his  43d  year.  Some  time  before  his  departure,  he  desired  that 
all  his  family  might  be  collected  together,  that  he  might  give 
his  dying  advice.  It  was  an  affecting  scene.  The  man  of  God 
just  on  the  verge  of  heaven,  and  leaving  behind  him  many  who 
would  be  exposed  to  the  corrupting  influence  of  this  world, 
could  not  be  satisfied  without  giving  once  more  the  voice  of 
affectionate  warning.  He  exhorted  his  children  and  all  who 
were  present  to  make  preparation  for  another  world.  In  the 
most  distinct  terms,  he  referred  to  his  own  prospects,  declaring 
that  Christ,  and  Christ  alone,  was  the  foundation  of  his  hope. 
Elder  Burkitt  being  present,  was  requested  to  preach  his  fun- 
eral sermon  from  the  words  of  Paul:  "It  is  a  faithful  say- 
ing," &c.  Thus  was  God  pleased  in  his  inscrutable  wisdom, 
to  deprive  the  church  at  Sappony  of  her  beloved  pastor,  and 
the  cause  at  large  of  an  efficient  helper.  "How  unsearchable 
are  his  judgments  and  his  ways  past  finding  out." 


JAMES    GARNETT,* 


Elder  James  Garnett,sen.  was  born  in  Culpepper  county, 
November,  1743.  His  father,  Captain  Anthony  Garnett,  was 
a  man  of  respectable  standing  in  civil   society,  but  made  no 

*By  James  Slaughter. 


162  BIOGRAPHY     OF 

profession  of  religion.  His  mother  was  a  very  pious  member 
of  the  Methodist  church,  and  manifested  a  deep  interest  in  the 
spiritual  welfare  of  her  children.  The  Lord  whose  "eyes  are 
over  the  righteous,''  heard  her  supplications,  and  brought  many 
of  her  children  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth;  among  the  num- 
ber was  the  subject  of  this  brief  memoir.  During  his  youth, 
and  early  manhood,  he  was  very  wild  and  thoughtless.  He 
was  a  strong,  active  man,  and  took  much  pleasure  in  feats  of 
agility,  particularly  in  foot  racing,  in  which  he  greatly  excelled. 
Thus  he  continued  walking  according  to  the  course  of  this 
world,  and  giving  no  evidence  of  any  particular  concern  about 
the  welfare  of  his  soul,  until  he  was  nearly  thirty  years  old. 
But  the  Lord  had  mercy  in  store  for  him.  About  1770,  under 
the  ministry  of  Elder  Elijah  Craig,  he  received  religious  im- 
pressions, which  continued  many  months  before  he  obtained  a 
hope.  His  convictions  were  unusually  severe,  and  sometimes 
the  agony  of  his  soul  was  overpowering.  On  arriving  on  a 
Lord's  day,  in  sight  of  Blue  run  meeting  house,  he  heard  the 
saints  singing  the  well  known  hymn  of  Dr.  Watts, 

"Lord!  what  a  wretched  land  is  this;" 

it  made  such  an  impression  on  his  mind,  that,  before  he  reached 
the  house,  he  fell  to  the  ground,  unable  to  proceed  farther.  He 
felt  the  full  force  of  those  words;  to  him  this  was  a  "wretched 
land,''  and  the  world  could  give  no  relief  to  his  distressed 
mind.  No  cheering  fruits,  no  wholesome  trees  nor  streams  of 
living  joy  were  to  be  found.  Thus  guilty,  condemned,  and 
almost  in  despair,  he  lay  until  the  singers  reached  the  words 
of  the  same' hymn, 

"But  Judah's  lion  guards  the  way, 
And  guides  the  strangers  home." 

At  this  moment  his  mind  was  relieved,  and  he  found  peace 
from  a  view  of  the  fulness,  in  Jesus  Christ,  the  "Lion  of  the 
tribe  of  Judah,"  who  has  promised  to  guide  the  strangers  and 
pilgrims  home  to  eternal  rest. 


JAMES    GARNETT.  163 

He  was  baptized  shortly  afterwards  by  Elder  Elijah  Craig, 
and  became  a  member  of  Blue  run  church,  in  Orange  county. 
It  was  soon  apparent  that  he  felt  more  than  ordinary  concern 
for  the  salvation  of  perishing  sinners  around  him;  and  though 
he  had  been  favored  with  a  very  limited  education,  and  was 
sensible  of  the  greatness  of  the  work  before  him,  yet  he  con- 
ferred not  with  flesh  and  blood;  but  urged  on  by  a  sense  of 
duty,  and  an  ardent  love  for  the  souls  of  men,  zealously  en- 
gaged in  the  work  of  the  ministry.  Nor  did  he  labor  in  vain. 
The  Lord  blessed  his  efforts  to  the  awakening  of  many. 

When  Crooked  run  church  was  constituted,  which  was  soon 
after  the  baptism  of  Elder  Garnett,  he  became  a  member  of 
that  body,  and  in  about  two  years  was  called  to  the  pastoral 
care  of  that  church.  This  office  he  filled,  until  a  short  time 
before  his  death  in  1830,  a  period  of  more  than  fifty -five  years. 
He  resigned  the  office,  at  last,  solely  because  his  bodily  infir- 
mities prevented  him  from  rendering  efficient  service.  Under 
his  pastoral  care,  the  church  at  Crooked  run  generally  enjoyed 
much  peace  and  harmony,  and  was  blessed  with  many  refresh- 
ing seasons;  when  large  additions  were  made  to  her  numbers. 

In  point  of  morality  and  correct  Christian  deportment,  few 
have  surpassed  Elder  Garnett.  He  was  a  pattern  to  all  who 
knew  him.  Such  was  "the  even  tenor  of  his  way,"  that  his 
presence  produced  impressions  of  awe  and  veneration  upon  the 
minds  of  the  irreligious.  A  near  neighbor  of  his,  a  professed 
infidel,  has  been  frequently  heard  to  declare,  that  he  had  often 
been  checked  and  constrained  to  desist  from  his  evil  practices 
by  the  s'ight  and  Christian  deportment  of  Elder  Garnett.  At 
home  or  abroad,  in  public  or  private,  he  was  always  the  same. 
Religion  was  his  constant  theme,  and  he  never  heard  of  the 
prosperity  of  Zion,  or  revivals  of  the  Lord's  work,  either  far  or 
near,  but  it  seemed  to  put  new  life  into  him,  and  call  forth  ex- 
pressions of  gratitude  to  God  for  his  goodness  to  men. 

For  nearly  fifty  years  he  was  an  active  laborer  in  the  vine- 
yard of  the  Lord,  feeding  the  flock  and  winning  souls  to  Christ. 
Although  he  had  a  call  to  take  charge  of  some  other  churches, 


164  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

he  declined  all,  and  confined  his  ministrations  mostly  to 
Crooked  run  church,  where  he  generally  worshipped  every 
Lord's  day.  But  for  eight  or  ten  years  before  his  death,  he 
was  greatly  afflicted  with  the  asthma,  which  circumscribed 
his  labors  and  prevented  his  preaching  beyond  the  limits  of  his 
immediate  neighborhood.  It  was  for  a  considerable  time,  with 
great  difficulty,  that  he  could  get  to  the  house  of  worship  on 
Lord's  days.  But  such  was  his  love  for  the  sanctuary,  that  if 
he  was  able  only  to  sit  up,  he  would  have  his  family  convey 
him  to  the  house  of  God,  and  being  unable  to  stand,  he  would 
sit  in  his  chair  arid  pray,  preach,  and  exhort,  until  his  bodily 
strength  was  almost  exhausted.  The  last  Sabbath  he  spent  on 
earth,  he  passed  the  hours  of  worship  with  the  church  and 
congregation  at  Crooked  run;  when  with  more  than  ordinary 
feeling,  and  many  tears,  he  exhorted  his  brethren  to  love  and 
good  works,  and  warned  sinners,  in  view  of  a  coming  judgment, 
to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come.  That  day  will  long  be  remem- 
bered by  many  who  were  present.  Much  that  he  said  gave 
evidence  that  he  had  some  presentiment  of  the  fact  that  the 
time  of  his  "departure  was  at  hand.''  He,  in  effect,  took  leave 
of  his  brethren,  saying,  "If  I  never  see  you  again  in  this  world, 
from  my  heart  I  wish  you  well,  and  I  hope  to  meet  you  in  a 
better  world  than  this;  if  I  have  ever  said  any  thing  to  wound 
the  character  or  feelings  of  any  of  you,  I  now  ask  to  be  for- 
given.'' He  was  then  apparently  in  the  enjoyment  of  as  good 
health  as  he  had  been  for  several  years.  But  the  Lord  had 
ordained  that  he  should  spend  the  next  Sabbath  in  that  region 
where  the  weary  pilgrim  is  at  rest.  Accordingly  two  or  three 
days  after,  on  the  16th  of  April,  1830,  he  suddenly  expired, 
having  only  time  to  take  an  affectionate  leave  of  his  family- 
He  breathed  his  last,  in  the  eighty-sixth  year  of  his  age,  with 
a  pleasing  smile  and  countenance,  indicative  of  assurance  that 
heaven  was  his  home,  and  that  angels  were  ready  to  convey 
his  spirit  there.  He  often  said  he  could  not  feel  afraid  of  death 
and  so  it  seemed  to  be  when  the  messenger  came. 

His  funeral  sermon  was  preached  the  day  after  his  decease, 


JAMES    GARNETT. 


165 


by  his  grandson,  Elder  James  Garnett,  jr.  (who  succeeded 
him  in  the  pastoral  charge,  at  Crooked  run,)  from  2  Timothy 
iv,  7:  "I  have  fought  a  good  fight,"  &c.  The  services  were 
closed,  by  singing  a  favorite  hymn  of  the  deceased, 

"Jerusalem!  my  happy  home." 

It  was  a  solemn  and  melting  time.  Doubtless,  many  present 
remembered,  with  hearts  flowing  with  gratitude,  love  and 
veneration,  the  delightful  seasons  they  had  enjoyed,  with  this 
aged,  devoted  servant  of  God.  How  beautifully  verified  are 
the  words  of  the  Psalmist,  in  the  case  of  the  deceased:  "Mark 
the  perfect  man  and  behold  the  upright,  for  the  end  of  that 
man  is  peace.''  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death 
of  his  saints. 

Elder  Garnett  was  twice  married.  He  raised  fourteen 
children,  all  of  whom  have  been  hopefully  brought  to  a  know- 
ledge of  the  truth,  and  have  become  members  of  the  Baptist 
church,  a  wonderful  instance  of  the  blessing  of  God,  on  obe- 
dience to  the  injunction  to  Christian  parents,  to  bring  up  their 
children  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord.  Two  of 
his  sons,  Robert  and  John  Garnett,  have  for  many  years  been 
engaged  in  the  work  of  the  ministry. 

Elder  Garnetfs  preaching  talents  were  not  of  a  high  order, 
but  the  purity  of  his  life,  and  the  fervor  of  his  appeals  to  the 
unconverted,  manifesting  the  most  constant  love  for  the  souls 
of  men,  made  a  deep  impression  on  those  who  heard  him. 
His  preaching  was  blessed  to  the  conversion  of  many.  His 
name  and  character  are  held  in  esteem  and  veneration,  by  the 
whole  circle  of  his  acquaintance.  It  was  said  that  he  was 
never  known  to  converse  on  any  other  subject  than  religion, 
while  going  to  the  house  of  worship,  on  Lord's  day.  In  con- 
versation with  a  brother  in  the  ministry,  upon  the  subject  of  a 
careless  life,  and  light-mindedness,  in  some  professing  religion, 
Elder  Garnett  expressed  his  fears,  that  many  such  were  de- 
ceived. The  brother  reminded  him  of  Peter's  fall,  and  urged 
that  such  an  example  ought  to  induce  the  exercise  of  much 
15 


166  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

charity  to  such  professors.  "Ah,"  said  Elder  Garnett,  "I 
have  no  idea  of  feeding  Christians  on  Peter's  sins."  This  sen- 
timent is  worthy  of  being  remembered;  it  may  serve  as  a  re- 
proof to  some,  who  instead  of  taking  shame  to  themselves,  for 
giving  so  little  evidence  of  the  life  and  power  of  religion,  in 
their  general  deportment,  take  consolation  and  encouragement 
from  the  occasional  stumblings  and  misdoings  of  others. 


GEORGE    LAYFIEO 


It  is  to  be  lamented  that  the  memory  of  a  man  who  was  so 
much  and  so  deservedly  regarded,  as  Elder  George  Layfield, 
should  have  been  allowed,  in  a  measure,  to  perish.  His  pa- 
rents, George  and  Elizabeth  Layfield,  were  residents  of  Mary- 
land: in  which  state  he  was  born  October  27th,  1749.  He 
became  a  professor  of  religion  in  early  life,  and  for  several 
years  was  connected  with  the  Presbyterian  church.  He  seems 
to  have  paid  no  attention  to  the  subject  of  infant  sprinkling,  or 
even  indulged  a  suspicion  that  it  was  unauthorized  by  the 
word  of  God,  until  he  was  allowed  an  opportunity  of  hearing 
a  Baptist  preach.  A  severe  and  protracted  contest  was  car- 
ried on  in  his  own  mind,  when  he  had  gained  his  consent  to 
give  it  a  thorough  examination.  The  regard  he  felt  for  the 
brethren  of  his  own  persuasion,  and  the  pride  of  consistency, 
prevented  him  for  a  time,  from  yielding  to  the  sway  of  truth. 
He  at  length  submitted,  and  was  baptized  into  Jesus  Christ, 
and  connected  himself  with  the  Baptist  church. 

A  short  time  after  this  change  of  sentiment,  he  entered 
upon  the  work  of  proclaiming  to  others  the  great  salvation. 
Having  removed  to  the  eastern  shore  of  Virginia,  a  wide  and 
effectual  door  was  opened,  and  he  became  a  most  active  and 
successful  laborer  throughout  that  peninsula.  It  was  his  privi- 
lege for  several  years,  to  be  associated  with  that  eminently  de- 
voted  man,  Elder   Elijah   Baker.     Conjointly,  they  were  the 


GEORGE    LAYFIELD.  167 

instruments  of  originating  the  church  called  Pungoteage.  Some 
time  after  their  constitution,  they  gave  to  Elder  Layfield  an 
invitation  to  become  their  pastor,  which  he  accepted.  This 
relation  he  sustained  to  the  close  of  his  life.  At  various  pe- 
riods, also,  he  statedly  served  the  churches  of  Matompkin, 
Masongo,  and  Chingoteage. 

Respecting  his  character  as  a  Christian  and  minister,  it 
would  be  difficult  to  exaggerate.  He  was  remarkable  for  con- 
sistency of  deportment.  With  him,  the  discharge  of  duty  was 
the  result  of  principle,  and  it  was,  therefore,  habitual.  In  his 
intercourse  with  others,  he  was  grave,  yet  cheerful.  He  was 
universally  respected  as  a  man  of  genuine  piety,  not  being  will- 
ing  to  hide  his  light  under  a  bushel;  he  was  careful  to  let  it 
shine  before  others,  that  they  might  glorify  his  Father  in 
heaven.  The  pastoral  office  was  filled  by  him  with  much 
faithfulness.  His  brethren,  to  whom  he  dispensed  the  word 
and  ordinances,  looked  up  to  him  as  children  to  a  father.  He 
possessed,  to  the  end  of  his  earthly  course,  their  confidence 
and  affection;  and  was  regarded,  by  all  the  surrounding 
churches,  as  an  Israelite  indeed,  in  whom  was  no  guile. 

As  a  public  speaker,  his  talents  were  above  mediocrity, 
though  his  opportunities  for  early  improvement  were  scanty. 
By  personal  application,  he  had  succeeded,  to  some  extent,  in 
the  cultivation  of  his  mind.  He  is  said  to  have  been  studious. 
He  did  not  aim,  in  his  address,  at  greatness,  but  usefulness. 
The  truth  was  declared  in  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity.  He 
universally  directed  his  remarks  to  the  hearts  and  consciences 
of  his  hearers.  His  preaching  was  generally  characterized 
rather  by  the  exhibition  of  evangelic,  fundamental  truths,  than 
the  more  mysterious  and  abstract  doctrines  of  the  gospel.  To- 
wards those  who  did  not  agree  with  him  in  opinion,  he  main- 
tained a  kind  and  conciliatory  spirit,  and  seemed  more  anxious 
to  win  an  opponent  to  the  consideration  of  truth,  than  to  mani- 
fest a  cold  reserve  or  dogmatic  pertinacity.  From  the  best 
information  which  can  be  obtained,  his  death  occurred  about 


168  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

the  year  1814.     He  was  four  times  married.     His  widow  and 
several  children  still  survive  him. 


JOHN     YOUNG. 

Although  very  few  particulars  respecting  the  life  and  la- 
bors of  Elder  John  Young,  can  be  obtained,  it  would  not  be 
proper,  in  a  work  of  this  kind,  wholly  to  overlook  him.  He 
deserves  a  place  among  those  who  have  followed  the  Lamb 
whithersoever  he   went. 

Elder  Young  was  a  native  of  Caroline  county.  He  was 
born  January  11th,  1739.  His  education  was  limited,  having 
been  confined,  from  childhood,  to  the  occupation  of  farming. 
About  1770,  he  was  introduced  into  the  liberty  of  the  children 
of  God,  was  baptized  by  Elder  J.  Read  and  soon  commenced 
the  great  work  of  preaching  the  gospel.  He  was  ordained  in 
1773,  at  which  time  the  church  called  Read's,  in  his  native 
county,  was  constituted.  The  pastoral  care  of  this  church  was 
accepted  by  him.  He  continued  to  preach  in  that  vicinity 
twenty-five  years.  The  word  of  salvation  was,  for  the  first 
time,  carried  by  him  to  several  parts  of  lower  Virginia.  Nor 
was  his  ministry  vain.  In  one  year  alone,  sixty  or  seventy 
were  added  to  Read's  church,  through  his  instrumentality. 

In  1799,  he  removed  to  Amherst,  and  the  following  year  be- 
came pastor  of  Buffaloe  church,  now  called  Mount  Moriah. 
Here  also  his  labors  were  owned  with  a  blessing,  and  many  re- 
joiced in  the  God  of  salvation.  Nearly  one  hundred  persons 
were  baptized  by  him  in  1803. 

During  the  early  part  of  his  ministerial  career,  he  was  one 
of  those  who  passed  through  great  tribulation  for  Christ's  sake. 
He  was  arrested,  in  one  of  his  preaching  excursions,  and  com- 
mitted to  prison.  For  the  space  of  six  months,  he  remained 
in  close  confinement,  in  Caroline  jail,  until  by  a  writ  of  habeas 
corpus,  he   was  taken  to    Williamsburg.     In  other   instances 


JOHN    YOUNG.  169 

this  inoffensive,  meek,  and  pious  man,  became  the  subject  of 
unholy  opposition,  because  he  chose  to  obey  God  rather  than 
man,  and  to  preach  Christ  and  him  crucified,  to  the  people. 
None  of  these  things  deterred  him  from  the  pursuance  of 
this  great  object.  To  the  end  of  life,  (which  was  protracted 
to  old  age,)  he  continued  a  faithful  servant  of  his  Master. 
He  was  not  only  instrumental  in  the  conversion  of  hundreds 
of  souls,  but  in  bringing  forward  into  the  ministry  many 
of  the  most  useful  preachers  of  Virginia,  who  were  baptized 
by  him. 

Elder  Young  was  not  remarkable  for  brilliancy  of  talents, 
few,  however,  were  his  superiors  in  good  sense.  His  gifts 
were  of  the  useful,  rather  than  the  showy  kind.  When  he 
stood  up  to  commend  the  character  and  service  of  his  Master, 
his  style  was  plain,  but  pointed,  and  his  manner  unaffectedly 
simple.  Many  of  those  speakers,  who  attract  the  wondering 
gaze  of  the  multitude,  and  are  much  applauded  for  their  elo- 
quence, present  but  little  that  is  substantial  in  their  addresses. 
They  are  more  distinguished  for  noise  and  show,  than  valuable 
heart-stirring  thoughts.  But  the  subject  of  this  memoir  was 
rather  intent  to  convince  his  auditors  of  the  evil  of  sin,  and 
persuade  them  to  be  reconciled  to  God,  than  to  display 
himself. 

What  gave  great  efficacy  to  his  influence,  was  the  blameless- 
ness  of  his  life.  Holiness  to  the  Lord,  might  be  seen  inscribed 
on  all  his  actions.  Not  to  himself  did  he  live,  but  to  Christ. 
In  his  intercourse  with  the  brethren,  and  his  appeals  from  the 
pulpit,  he  uniformly  insisted  on  the  necessity  of  a  holy  charac- 
ter to  qualify  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  And  he  was  not  will- 
ing to  recommend  to  others,  what  he  practised  not  himself. 

There  was  one  subject  which  occasioned  him  much  solici- 
tude, and  compelled  him  to  wfit  his  pillow  with  many  a  tear. 
None  of  his  children,  during  his  lifetime,  became  the  followers 
of  Christ.  Nor  was  he  deficient  in  family  government,  but 
sought  to  instruct  his  children,  and  to  lead  them  in  the  paths  of 
righteousness.  The  following  extract  from  a  discourse,  deliv- 
15* 


170  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

ered  by  Elder  William  Duncan,  in  1827,  will  be  deeply  inter- 
esting, referring,  as  it  does,  to  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

"In  the  early  part  of  my  ministry,  said  Mr.  Duncan,  I  trav- 
elled and  preached  much  with  a  venerable  servant  of  God,  who 
has  now  entered  into  his  rest.  He  devoted  himself  wholly  to 
the  promotion  of  evangelical  truth,  sustaining  hunger  and 
thirst,  cold  and  heat,  for  the  love  of  souls.  He  once  said  to 
me.  'My  brother,  though  I  love  to  preach  the  gospel,  and  often 
feel  its  refreshing  influence,  yet  one  circumstance  sometimes 
creates  doubt  in  my  mind.  1  have  seven  children,  for  whom 
1  have  long  been  praying,  and  yet  not  one  of  them  is  a  Chris- 
tian. If  I  were  a  righteous  man,  surely  my  prayers  would 
prevail,  but  believing  God  can  answer  the  requests  of  his  peo- 
ple after  their  death,  /  am  determined  to  persist  as  long  as  I 
live?  What  think  you  were  my  feelings  to-day,  when  on  my 
arrival,  I  was  informed  that  two  of  this  very  man's  sons  had 
been  lately  baptized,  making  of  the  seven  children,  four,  who 
have  been  added  to  the  church,  since  his  death? — And  what, 
think  you,  were  the  joys  of  his  redeemed  spirit,  contemplating 
such  an  event?  Or,  if  this  joy  is  reserved  for  another  period, 
what  will  be  his  emotions,  when  he  shall  embrace  them  all,  in 
the  city  of  God,  and  with  them  swell  the  eternal  song  of  praise 
to  his  Redeemer? — Wait  on  the  Lord:  be  of  good  courage,  and 
he  shall  strengthen  thine  heart:  wait,  I  say,  on  the  Lord." 

A  short  time  after  this  discourse  was  preached,  another  of 
his  sons,  Mr.  William  Young,  residing  near  Richmond,  was 
brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  became  a  member  of 
the  Second  Baptist  Church,  of  that  city.  Thus  it  may  be,  that 
he  who  toiled  and  prayed,  and  wept  for  the  salvation  of  his 
children,  may  meet  them  all  in  heaven,  as  the  redeemed  of  the 
Lord.  What  encouragement  have  parents  to  persevere  in  the 
arduous,  yet  delightful  work,  oT  bringing  up  their  children  in 
the  fear  of  God.  They  shall  reap,  if  they  faint  not.  God  will 
honor  them  that  honor  him. 

Mr.  Young  continued  his  pastoral  relation  until  he  was  dis- 
qualified for  its   duties,  by   the    infirmities   of  age.     He  then 


REUBEN    PICKET.  171 

resigned  his  charge,  and  was  succeeded  by  Elder  William 
Duncan.  Still,  however,  he  preached  frequently,  as  his 
strength  would  allow.  Though  worn  out  in  the  service  of  his 
Redeemer,  he  was  not  weary  of  it.  When  the  period  of  his 
death  drew  near,  he  maintained  unshaken  confidence  in  God, 
and  rejoiced  with  unutterable  joy.  The  family  were  called 
around  his  bed,  and  exhorted  to  prepare  for  a  better  world. 
"Weep  not  for  me,  (said  the  dying  saint,)  1  shall  soon  be 
released  from  this  dull  clog  of  mortality.  Then  shall  I  be 
saved  from  temptation  and  sin.  I  know  in  whom  1  have 
believed.  I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course, 
I  have  kept  4he  faith.  Let  no  pomp  be  connected  with  my 
funeral.  Nor  is  it  necessary  to  wear  the  customary  badges  of 
mourning,  on  my  account.  I  shall  soon  receive  the  crown  of 
glory.  Will  you  not  all  prepare  to  meet  God?  I  wish  to  see 
you  in  heaven."  He  requested  that  Elder  John  Courtney,  of 
Richmond,  should  preach  his  funeral  sermon.  At  the  time  he 
died,  he  was  perfectly  rational,  and  enjoyed  heaven  in  his  soul. 
The  rapturous  state  of  his  mind  was  indicated  by  his  counte- 
nance. With  a  smile  of  delight,  and  his  eyes  directed  to  heaven, 
he  breathed  his  last,  April  16,  1817. 

Thus  was  this  preacher  of  righteousness  allowed  to  reach 
his  seventy- ninth  year.  He  had  been  familiar  with  scenes  of 
trial  and  persecution  in  the  early  part  of  his  ministry,  but 
lived  to  see  the  chains  of  ecclesiastical  oppression  broken  to 
pieces,  and  the  cause  of  truth  triumphant.  And  in  the  language 
of  the  devout  Simeon,  he  might  say,  "Lord,  now  lettest  thou 
thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  for  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  sal- 
vation.'' 


REUBEN     PICKET 


Reuben  Picket  was  a  native  of  Fauquier.      He  was  born 
in  1752.     In  his  17th  year,  his  attention  was  directed  to  eter- 


172  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

nal  things;  and  after  suffering  much  inquietude  of  mind,  he 
joyfully  submitted  to  the  righteousness  of  God.  A  short  time 
after  his  conversion,  he  was  baptized  by  Samuel  Harriss,  in  the 
county  of  Orange.  His  earliest  efforts,  as  a  public  teacher, 
were  made  when  he  was  not  more  than  1H  years  of  age.  It 
might  justly  be  regretted  that  the  stores  of  knowledge  were 
not  then  within  his  reach,  and  that  his  mind  was  not  placedun- 
der  a  suitable  training.  Such  advantages,  there  is  reason  to 
believe,  would  have  been  gladly  improved  by  him;  but  at  that 
early  period,  the  facilities  for  obtaining  education  were  ex- 
ceedingly limited. 

With  such  opportunities  as  he  did  possess,  he  sought  to  qual- 
ify himself  for  usefulness.  Such  was  his  desire  to  do  good, 
that  through  many  difficulties  he  urged  his  way  to  testify  to 
his  fellow  men  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God.  He  found  an 
opportunity  of  exercising  his  gift  in  exhortation,  during  a  visit 
to  the  county  of  Shenandoah.  In  this  county  a  very  consider- 
able excitement  prevailed  on  the  subject  of  religion,  which  al- 
lowed him  a  wide  scope  for  public  addresses,  while  the  natural 
fervor  of  his  own  heart  was  called  into  exercise.  Shortly  after 
his  visit  to  Shenandoah,  he  began  to  preach.  An  acquaintance 
was  formed  with  Elder  Koontz,  who,  a  short  time  before,  had 
become  an  efficient  Baptist  minister.  In  each  other's  company 
they  passed  from  place  to  place,  declaring  the  unsearchable 
riches  of  Christ:  Koontz  preached  in  Dutch,  and  Picket  in 
English:  both  were  eminently  successful  in  turning  men  to  God. 

His  labors,  at  this  early  period,  are  thus  referred  to  by  Elder 
Semple:  "Mr.  Samuel  Harriss,  coming  to  preach  in  his  vicinity, 
he  felt  a  great  desire  to  travel  with  him;  but,  knowing  he  was 
not  rich,  and  that  his  embarrassment  would  be  great,  unless 
he  followed  some  calling  for  a  livelihood,  he  was  very  unhappy 
for  some  time.  Spreading  his  case,  however,  before  his  invisible 
instructor,  this  text  came  forcibly  to  his  mind:  'Go  ye  and 
preach  the  gospel:  and,  Lo  1  am  with  you  alvvay.'  He  imme- 
diately forsook  all  earthly  employment,  and  travelled  with  El- 
der Harriss,  expecting  to  visit  an  association  in  South  Carolina. 


REUBEN    PICKET.  173 

He  was,  however,  detained  by  severe  illness,  and  left  by  his 
brethren  in  a  strange  part  of  the  world.  His  sufferings,  both 
of  mind  and  body,  were  extremely  severe;  but  it  was  only  the 
refiner's  fire  purging  off  the  dross,  and  leaving  Mr.  Picket, 
like  tried  gold,  to  shine  with  seven-fold  splendor.  After  his 
recovery,  he  felt  the  smiles  of  God  in  a  more  abundant  manner 
than  he  had  ever  done.  He  then  commenced  his  ministerial 
travels  in  N.  C.  and  Va.,  disseminating  evangelical  truth  in 
various  directions.  He  was  still  only  about  twenty  years  of 
age.  Young  as  he  was,  his  talents  were  extensively  useful. 
Many  acknowledged  him  as  the  messenger  of  peace  to  their 
souls;  and  several  churches  were  constituted  through  his  in- 
strumentality." 

In  1772,  he  was  ordained.  He  had  been  the  means  of  origi- 
nating a  church  called  Reedy  bottom,  which  was  afterwards 
merged  in  Mayo,  in  Halifax  county,  to  whose  oversight  he 
was  called  at  his  ordination.  He  continued  their  pastor  as 
long  as  he  lived;  and,  in  this  relation,  was  characterized  by  his 
activity  and  faithfulness.  He  was,  however,  not  confined  in 
his  efforts  to  this  congregation.  Other  churches  were  fre- 
quently visited,  especially  in  seasons  of  difficulty  and  trial.  He 
possessed  a  peculiar  talent  for  binding  together  the  hearts  of  his 
brethren,  and  preserving  peace  in  the  church.  Among  the 
people  of  God  he  was  universally  beloved.  No  man  in  the 
Roanoke  Association  possessed  such  vast  influence,  and  no  one 
deserved  it  more.  For  many  years  in  succession,  he  occupied 
the  chair  at  their  annual  meetings,  and  always  presided  with 
dignity,  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  all.  As  an  indication  of  the 
esteem  in  which  he  was  held,  the  following  minute  from  the 
record  of  the  Roanoke  Association,  is  inserted.  This  was  the 
session  of  1822,  the  last  he  ever  attended:  "Brother  Reuben 
Picket  being  present,  (but  from  severe  bodily  affliction  not  be- 
ing able  to  attend  to  the  business  of  the  association,)  in  consid- 
eration of  his  great  services,  and  the  sincere  love  the  brethren 
of  this  association  have  for  him,  he  is  invited  to  a  seat  among 
us  as  an  honorary  member.'' 


174  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

As  has  been  already  mentioned,  his  piety  and.  affectionate 
manners,  constituted  the  secret  of  his  influence  among  the 
churches.  His  talents  were  not  of  the  highest  order;  but  they 
were  of  the  useful  kind.  He  addressed  the  heart,  and  sought 
to  reach  the  conscience  of  the  hearer.  While  he  was  not  ac- 
customed to  astonish  by  the  brilliancy  of  his  thoughts,  he  rare- 
ly  failed  to  produce  a  very  deep  and  solemn  effect.  His  ap- 
pearance and  manners  were  highly  impressive.  Such  are  the 
men  who  are  needed  in  this  guilty  and  miserable  world,  to  be, 
in  the  most  emphatic  sense,  the  "messengers  of  peace.'' 

Elder  Picket  was,  at  sometimes,  subject  to  great  depression 
of  mind,  arising  from  derangement  of  the  nervous  system.  A 
correspondent,  in  reference  to  this  subject,  states,  that  "In  hisold 
age  he  had  his  shoulder  broken  by  being  overturned  in  a  gig. 
From  this  accident  he  suffered  very  much,  and  being  confined 
at  home  for  a  long  time,  was  greatly  depressed.  Some  en- 
deavored to  jest  him  out  of  this  state,  but  he  grew  worse.  Be- 
ing visited  by  a  minister,  he  told  him  all  his  sorrows.  He,  en- 
tering into  Picket's  feelings,  reproved  those  who  had  ridiculed 
him*  told  them  that  he  was  really  afflicted,  and  then  address- 
ing himself  to  Picket,  expressed  great  commiseration  for  his 
condition,  told  him  God  alone  could  help  him,  and  proposed 
that  they  should  unite  in  prayer.  During  this  exercise  his 
soul  was  lifted  up,  his  gloomy  feelings  left  him,  and  he  was 
filled  with  joy,  which  continued  till  his  death,  which  took  place 
Oct.  19th,  1823.  'Blessed  are  the  dead  that  die  in  the  Lord.'  " 
The  memory  of  this  man  of  God  is  embalmed  in  the  hearts  of 
hundreds  of  the  lovers  of  truth. 


JAMES     SHELB  OURNE 


Although  the  highest  attainments  of  human  excellence  are 
comparatively  mean,  it  should  be  ours  to  "mark  the  perfect  man, 
and  behold  the  upright,"  that  we  may  follow  him  as  he  followed 
Christ.     It  is  true,  that  excellence  of  temper  and  purity  of 


JAMES    SHELBOUKNE.  175 

life,  deserve  ou~  imitation,  though  they  be  seen  in  one  who 
occupies  an  obscure  station  in  the  church:  at  the  same  time, 
there  are  men,  in  whose  lives  circumstances  appear  of  such 
marked  interest,  as  to  force  themselves  specially  upon  our  at- 
tention, and  demand  our  respect.  In  no  case  is  this  observa- 
tion more  forcibly  illustrated,  than  in  the  biography  of  Elder 
James  Shelbourne. 

This  devoted  son  of  God,  was  born  in  James  city  county, 
Nov.  29th,  1738.  He  had  the  affliction  to  lose  his  parents  in 
early  life,  so  that  he  was  destitute  of  many  advantages,  which 
he  might  otherwise  have  possessed.  At  the  early  age  of  seven- 
teen, he  removed  to  Halifax  county,  shortly  after  which,  his 
mind  was  arrested  to  solemn  inquiry  on  the  subject  of  religion. 
This  concern  arose  from  a  sermon  delivered  by  Elder  William 
Murphy,  on  Romans  xiv,  17.  It  appears,  however,  that  these 
convictions  were  not  of  that  lively  character  which  produce 
repentance  unto  life,  for  it  was  not  until  1769,  that  he  became 
properly  sensible  of  his  character  as  a  sinner,  justly  condemned 
by  the  righteous  law  of  God.  During  this  year,  he  was  so 
deeply  distressed,  that  for  the  space  of  three  months,  he  was 
unable  to  attend  to  his  domestic  affairs,  applying  himself  to  a 
rigid  course  of  fasting,  prayer,  and  reading  the  scriptures.  In 
a  trial  of  his  own  strength,  he  was  ultimately  brought  to  real- 
ize his  weakness,  and  to  receive  with  consolation  and  hope, 
the  atonement  of  Christ.  Having  thus  been  delivered  from  the 
kingdom  of  darkness,  and  translated  into  the  kingdom  of  God's 
dear  Son,  he  made  a  public  profession  of  attachment  to  his 
cause,  by  baptism,  in  1770. 

From  this  period,  his  labors  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel  com- 
menced. He  cherished  a  peculiar  anxiety  to  be  useful,  by  pub- 
lishing to  perishing  sinners  the  way  of  salvation.  So  powerful 
was  this  sense  of  duty,  that  he  has  often  been  heard  to  say, 
that  it  would  be  as  difficult  for  him  to  desist  from  preaching, 
as  to  hold  coals  of  fire  in  his  hand,  without  shrinking,  and  that 
if  he  could  not  be  allowed  to  preach  without  a  pecuniary  sa- 
crifice on  his  part,  he  would  labor  with  his  hands  six  days  to  be 


176  BIOGRAPHY     OF 

allowed  that  privilege  on  the  seventh.  This  restlessness  of 
spirit  did  not  arise  from  a  wish  to  make  a  display  of  himself, 
nor  from  any  visionary  or  unscriptural  impression;  but  from  a 
settled  conviction  of  the  wretchedness  of  a  world  lying  in  wick- 
edness, and  of  the  boundless  sufficiency  of  him,  who  was  made 
a  sacrifice  for  sin. 

In  1775  he  was  ordained,  and  took  the  pastoral  charge  of 
Reedy  creek  church,  Lunenberg  county,  containing  at  this  time, 
36  members.  Having  thus  been  made  an  under  shepherd 
over  the  fold  of  Jesus,  he  for  some  time,  without  realizing  his 
wishes,  manifested  a  deep  anxiety  for  the  enlargement  of  Zion's 
borders.  It,  however,  pleased  the  Lord,  who  hears  the  prayers 
of  his  people,  to  revive  his  work  in  the  bounds  of  Reedy  creek 
church,  when  about  50  were  added  to  the  Lord.  Here  we  beg 
leave  to  introduce  a  quotation  from  Semple's  History  of  the 
Virginia  Baptists,  relative  to  this  circumstance: 

"Mr.  Shelbourne  is  one  of  the  most  religious  men  living. 
He  seldom  talks  on  any  other  subject.  It  is  easily  conceived, 
then,  that  whenever  Zion  languishes,  he  feels  his  portion  of 
sacred  sorrow,  expressed  by  the  prophet  Jeremiah  ix,  1.  It 
will  also  be  admitted,  that  of  this  mourning,  the  church,  with 
which  he  stood  connected  in  the  solemn  office  of  pastor,  would 
share  her  full  portion.  Such  was  the  case  for  several  years. 
The  state  of  religion  in  Elder  Shelbourne's  church,  was  truly 
lamentable — he  felt  it,  and  mourned.  God  heard  his  groans 
and  removed  his  complaints.  He  is  often  pleased,  however,  to 
take  strange  ways,  (strange  to  mortals,)  to  effect  his  purposes. 
It  was  deeply  impressed  on  Elder  Shelbourne's  mind,  that  if 
he  would  make  a  religious  feast,  or,  in  other  words,  if  he  would 
invite  his  neighbors,  generally,  to  come  to  his  house,  and  there, 
for  two  or  three  days,  entertain  them  with  such  as  he  had,  and 
at  the  same  time  employ  every  opportunity  in  exhorting  them 
to  repentance,  &c.  that  the  Lord  would  thereby  begin  a  goodly 
work — he  tried  it,  and  succeeded.  He  first  made  an  appoint- 
ment at  the  meeting  house,  and  thence  invited  them,  one  and 
all,  to  his  own  house.     Many  went,  and  the  time  was  occupied 


.TAMES    SHELHOUUNE.  177 

in  the  most  devout  manner — singing,  prayer,  exhortation,  were 
all  in  their  proper  seasons  attended  to — the  heavenly  shower 
descended — the  souls  of  many  were  refreshed,  and  from  that 
time  the  work  went  on  to  the  conversion  of  great  numbers." 

Besides  this,  other  times  of  refreshing  were  enjoyed  under 
the  ministry  of  Elder  Shelbourne,  so  that  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  notwithstanding  ma-ny  removals  and  deaths,  there  were 
connected  with  the  Reedy  creek  church  150  members.  Nor 
was  his  usefulness  confined  to  the  neighborhood  in  which  he 
lived;  the  destitute  churches  belonging  to  the  Mehcrrin  district 
were  frequently  watered  by  his  ministrations,  and  established 
by  his  faithful  advice. 

As  a  preacher  Elder  Shelbourne  was  much  and  deservedly 
loved.  His  pulpit  efforts  were  characterized  by  an  unosten- 
tatious simplicity,  and  as  he  advanced  in  years,  his  head  of 
silvery  whiteness  contributed  much  to  increase  the  veneration 
in  which  his  person  was  held.  But  his  extensive  popularity 
were  not  alone  the  result  of  agreeable  manners.  He  pos- 
sessed a  benevolent  heart,  leading  him  to  give  frequent  and 
substantial  indications  of  good  will  to  his  fellow  men.  Such 
was  the  universal  esteem  with  which  he  was  regarded,  that 
he  often  expressed  a  fear  that  he  might  deserve  the  woe  of 
those  concerning  whom  all  men  might  speak  well.  But  while 
he  was  thus  beloved  by  all,  he  did  not  shrink  from  the  defence 
of  the  humbling  doctrines  of  the  cross.  These  were  his  glory 
and  his  boast.  Especially  did  he  delight  to  dwell  on  the  truths, 
that  man  is  wholly  depraved,  that  salvation  is  obtained  alone 
by  the  righteousness  of  Christ  received  by  faith,  and  that 
the  depravity  of  human  nature  is  overcome  only  by  the  special 
and  direct  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  For  the  long  period 
of  fifty  years  did  he  urge  these  and  kindred  doctrines  upon  the 
attention  of  his  hearers. 

These  things  are  not  said  to  give  false  views  of  human  na- 
ture, but  to  present  as  worthy  of  universal  and  habitual  imita- 
tion, the  virtues  that  adorned  his  character.  Neither  is  it 
wished  to  present  him  as  living  unconscious  of  imperfections. 
16 


178  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

These  doubtless,  he  felt,  and  realized  his  daily  need  of  the  pu- 
rifying blood  of  Jesus.  But,  it  may  not  be  uninteresting  to 
know  how  this  man  of  God  was  supported  in  his  last  hours. 
He  was  confined  to  his  bed  but  a  short  time,  and  throughout 
his  illness,  maintained  the  most  unwavering  trust  in  the  atone- 
ment  of  Christ.  He  met  the  terrific  monster,  not  with  the 
philosophy  of  a  stoic,  but,  with  the  resignation  and  cheerfulness 
of  a  Christian.  While  on  his  death  bed,  he  used  every  possi- 
ble means  to  fortify  his  aged  and  amiable  companion  against 
the  trying  scene,  by  telling  her,  not  to  grieve  at  his  approach- 
ing dissolution,  as  they  had  been  favored  to  live  together  so 
many  years,  and  that  it  would  not  be  long  before  they  would 
meet  again  in  the  enjoyment  of  an  eternal  rest. 

Although  he  was  blessed  with  a  competency  of  earthly  good, 
no  dissatisfaction  was  expressed  at  leaving  it  behind;  his  anx- 
ieties seemed  to  run  out  towards  the  church,  whose  interests  he 
was  about  to  leave  in  the  care  of  others.  A  short  time  before 
his  death,  he  addressed  himself  to  his  son  Silas,  (who,  a  short 
time  previous,  had  commenced  the  work  of  the  ministry,)  in  a 
most  impressive  and  affectionate  manner.  "Oh,  my  son,"  said 
he,  ''the  church  lies  heavy,  very  heavy  on  my  mind.  I  fear  that 
a  cold  and  trying  time  is  approaching,  and  that  many  will  be 
seeking  a  more  fashionable  religion.  Watch  over  their  souls 
as  one  who  must  give  an  account  to  God,  and  keep  yourself  un- 
spotted from  the  world.  Do  not  aspire  after  men  of  great 
swelling  words,  but  study  the  scriptures,  preaching  the  gospel 
in  its  simplicity;  be  meek,  lowly,  and  unassuming  in  your  man- 
ners, with  all  holy  conversation,  as  becometh  the  gospel  of 
Christ.  Never  aim  at  things  too  deep  and  incomprehensible 
for  mortals  to  know,  remembering  that  there  is  as  much  made 
plain,  as  it  is  the  will  of  our  heavenly  Father  we  should  know; 
for  secret  things  belong  to  God,  and  things  that  are  revealed  be- 
long to  us. — Throughout  life,  what  difficulties  soever  you  may 
have  to  encounter,  never  return  railing  for  railing,  but  contrari- 
wise, in  doing  which  you  will  overcome  ten,  where  you  will  one 
by  any  other  method." 


JAMES    SHELliOUKNE.  179 

It  may  be  proper  here  to  give  an  extract  from  the  record  of 
the  Reedy  creek  church  book,  which  was  made  shortly  after 
his  death,  evincing  the  esteem  in  which  he  was  held  by  his 
brethren  in  Christ. 

"On  Monday,  March  6th,  1820,  departed  this  life,  at  his 
seat  in  Lunenburg  county,  in  his  83d  year,  Elder  James  Shel- 
bourne,  who  had  been  the  diligent  and  affectionate  pastor  of 
this  church,  about  45  years.  The  last  sermon  he  preached,  was 
on  the  first  Lord's  day  in  February  last,  from  Luke  xxix,  30. 
In  this  discourse  he  had  much  freedom,  and  it  was  thought  by 
many  of  the  brethren  to  be  the  best  sermon  they  had  ever  heard 
him  deliver.  On  the  monthly  meeting  in  February  we  received 
his  last  visit,  and  being  very  unwell,  he  did  not  preach,  but  de- 
livered a  short  exhortation,  stating  to  his  congregation,  at  the 
same  time,  that  he  never  expected  to  address  them  more  in  this 
world;  then  committing  the  church  to  the  Lord,  he  returned 
home,  from  which  time  he  was  confined  to  his  bed  until  his 
death.  The  day  following,  many  of  his  friends  having  heard 
that  his  dissolution  seemed  to  be  fast  approaching,  visited  him. 
He  conversed  with  them  as  much  as  the  depressed  state  of  his 
respiration  would  admit.  To  some  of  his  young  brethren  he 
spoke  with  peculiar  energy,  and  seemed  to  enjoy  the  most 
peaceful  resignation  to  the  will  of  bis  heavenly  Father.  Be- 
fore his  last  illness,  he  often  said  that  when  he  desired  to 
realize  death,  nature  shrunk,  but  now  it  was  quite  otherwise; 
he  was  no  more  afraid  of  dying  than  living,  yet  he  did  not 
wish  to  die  sooner,  nor  live  longer,  than  it  was  the  will  of  his 
adorable  Creator. 

"Shortly  before  his  death,  he  seemed  to  have  some  difficulty 
in  breathing,  and  remarked,  that  the  grace  of  God  had  always 
been  sufficient  for  him,  and  always  would  be  to  his  dying  mo- 
ments. One  night,  he  observed  to  one  of  his  friends,  that  he 
doubted  whether  he  should  live  to  see  the  morning  light;  being 
asked  whether  he  felt  resigned,  he  replied,  'perfectly,  perfectly; 
I  have  no  more  doubt  of  divine  favor  than  I  have  of  my  exist- 
ence; I  could  say,  come  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly,  but   I   feel 


180  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

resigned  to  wait  his  good  pleasure,  therefore,  all  my  appointed 
time  will  I  wait,  until  my  change  come.' 

"During  the  whole  of  his  illness,  he  enjoyed  the  exercise  of 
his  reason,  and  was  often  heard  to  say,  that  he  would  not  turn 
his  hand  to  have  his  evidences  brighter,  or  his  hope  and  confi- 
dence stronger.  He  seemed  to  have  nothing  to  ask.  A  short 
space  before  his  death,  he  lost  his  speech,  and  about  half  past 
five  o'clock,  this  shining  light  was  extinguished.  While  dying, 
he  raised  one  hand  towards  heaven,  and  seemed,  from  his  ges- 
tures, to  be  perfectly  sensible,  and  anxious  to  let  all  around  him 
know  that  he  was  about  to  ascend  to  glory,  for  which  event, 
his  life  had  been  one  constant  preparation. 

"By  this  dispensation  of  Providence,  this  church  is  bereaved 
of  an  under  shepherd  whom  they  dearly  loved.  Salvation  by 
the  cross  of  Christ,  independent  of  human  worthiness,  was  the 
darling  theme  of  his  ministry.  Doctrinal  truth  he  considered 
as  the  only  foundation  of  evangelical  obedience,  and  maintained, 
that  notions  of  religion,  however  correct,  would  prove  of  no 
avail,  any  further  than  their  sanctifying  influence  was  felt  on 
the  heart,  and  evidenced  by  a  holy  walk  and  conversation. 
His  own  exemplary  conduct  was  a  striking  instance  of  the 
power  of  those  doctrines  he  believed  and  taught.  Integrity 
and  uprightness  were  traits  in  his  character;  acknowledged  by 
all  who  knew  him;  he  possessed  a  noble  disinterestedness  of 
spirit,  seeking  not  ours,  but  us:  he  was  truly  our  servant  for 
Jesus'  sake.  We  are  left  without  our  teacher  and  guide;  our 
father  and  friend  is  no  more — we  shall  no  more  witness  on 
earth,  the  fervor  of  his  zeal  nor  the  ardor  of  his  piety,  nor 
hear  the  sound  of  salvation  from  his  impressive  lips.  The 
hand  that  so  often  broke  to  us  the  bread,  and  poured  out  to  us 
the  wine,  in  commemoration  of  our  Lord,  is  now  cold  in  death. 
As  a  church,  we  are  sorrowing  that  we  shall  see  his  face  no 
more,  and  yet  thankful  to  God,  that  he  was  so  long  spared  to 
go  in  and  out  before  us.  He  still  lives  in  our  memories  and 
in  our  hearts,  and  we  trust  his  precepts  and  examples  will  never 
be  forgotten  by  us.     We  should  feel  ourselves  wanting  in  jus- 


LEWIS    CONNER. 


181 


tice  to  his  memory,  did  we  not  inscribe  on  the  records  of  this 
church,  our  testimony  to  departed  worth,  for  of  him  it  might 
be  said, 'he  walked  with  God.' 

In  reviewing  the  life  of  such  a  man,  it  becomes  every  lover 
of  Zion  to  pray  to  God,  that  our  young  ministers,  may  be  faith- 
ful unto  death,  and  that  many  more  may  be  raised  up  thus  to 
labor  in  his  vineyard. 


LEWIS     CONNER 


Elder  Lewis  Conner  was  born  Nov.  1745,  in  Culpepper, 
then  Orange  county,  of  respectable  parentage.  His  father, 
John  Conner,  was  a  man  of  the  most  amiable  character,  es- 
teemed by  all  who  knew  him  for  his  upright  conduct,  gentle- 
ness of  manners,  and  social  virtues.  He,  it  is  believed,  never 
made  a  public  profession  of  religion;  though  some  others  of 
his  family  besides  Lewis,  were  Baptists.  His  circumstances 
in  life  were  moderate,  perhaps  below  mediocrity,  and  he  had 
a  numerous  family  of  children.  He  was  of  Irish  descent,  and 
his  wife,  the  mother  of  Lewis,  was  the  daughter  of  Mr. 
Charles  Kavenaugh,  who  emigrated  from  Ireland  to  Virginia 
when  very  young,  and  by  industry  and  enterprise  provided 
well  for  his  offspring. 

As  there  were  in  those  days  but  few  facilities  for  cultivating 
the  youthful  mind,  Lewis  received  very  little  education.  Na- 
turally possessed  of  a  strong  and  discriminating  mind,  if  he 
had  enjoyed  the  advantage  of  literary  cultivation,  he  would, 
no  doubt,  have  ranked  high  in  the  world  of  letters.  Indeed, 
without  the  aid  of  literature,  he  arose  to  a  highly  respectable 
standing,  and  was  justly  considered  one  of  the  ablest  divines 
in  the  upper  part  of  Virginia.  He  commenced  the  world 
pennyless.  Having  a  mechanical  genius,  he  worked  9ft  a 
carpenter  with  an  older  brother,  and  also  for  a  time  with  a 
wagon  maker.  When  he  became  twenty-one  years  of  age  he 
16* 


182  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

commenced  on  his  own  account,  and  was  employed  in  both 
trades  by  a  gentleman  in  the  neighborhood,  in  which  Blue 
run  church  was  afterwards  constituted.  In  this  situation  he 
continued  for  some  time,  receiving  the  most  affectionate  at- 
tentions of  his  employer,  and  his  lady,  persons  of  distinction 
in  their  neighborhood.  Here,  those  qualities  of  the  head  and 
heart  which  distinguished  him  through  life,  more  fully  devel- 
oped themselves,  and  he  became  a  general  favorite  among  his 
acquaintances.  When  the  term  of  his  engagement  with  this 
gentleman  expired,  he  returned  to  the  neighborhood  of  his 
father,  and  soon  after  married  Mrs.  Davis,  the  widow  of  Ben- 
jamin Davis.     This  occurred  in  1768. 

About  this  time  a  merciful  God  was  pleased  to  extend  the  min- 
isterial labors  of  Elder  David  Thomas  to  this  county.  And  here, 
history  informs  us,  he  and  Samuel  Harriss  were  instrumental 
in  the  conviction  and  conversion  of  very  many  precious  souls. 
Among  the  converts  was  Elder  Conner.  Although  before 
this,  he  had  lived  without  reproach,  even  more  than  most  of 
his  age,  yet,  when  by  the  light  of  divine  grace  he  saw  the 
exceeding  sinfulness  of  sin,  and  then  the  adaptedness  of  the 
Saviour  in  his  different  offices,  to  the  wants  of  sinners,  he  was 
induced  to  give  up  all  for  Christ's  sake;  and  acknowledge  him 
as  his  only  hope  of  salvation.  He  made  a  public  profession  of 
the  religion  of  Jesus,  and  was  baptized  with  many  others  by 
Elder  Thomas,  in  the  Rapid  Ann  river.  Mrs.  Conner,  his 
consort,  it  is  thought,  was  baptized  about  this  time,  but  whether 
on  the  same  day  is  not  known. 

Elder  Conner  at  this  time  resided  near  the  Raccoon  ford  on 
the  Orange  side,  and  soon  after  his  baptism,  began  to  exercise 
his  gift  publicly  in  singing,  prayer,  and  exhortation.  In  these 
exercises  he  was  associated  with  other  young  converts,  par- 
ticularly Lewis  Craig. 

They  had  no  meeting  house,  but  held  their  meetings  from 
hotlle  to  house  in  the  neighborhood.  The  spirit  of  the  Lord, 
however,  being  strong  in  their  hearts,  their  minds  were  soon 
drawn  to  the   propriety  of  building  a  house  of  worship.     Ac- 


LEWIS    CONNER.  183 

cordingly,  Elder  Conner  and  Lewis  or  Elijah  Craig,  undertook 
and  built  a  meeting  house  of  tolerable  dimensions  on  the  land 
of  Uriel  Mallory,  on  Mountain  river,  Orange  county.  Such 
was  their  zeal,  that  others  perhaps  finding  nails,  they  erected 
and  completed  the  building  for  the  small  sum  of  five  pounds. 
Here  a  church  was  constituted,  but  the  writer  of  this  does  not 
know  who  was  the  pastor,  but  supposes  it  was  Lewis  Craig. 
This  church  maintained  her  visibility  till  about  the  commence- 
ment of  the  revolution,  the  effects  of  which,  and  removals, 
caused  its  extinction. 

Among  those  that  removed  was  Elder  Conner,  who  settled 
on  Cedar  run,  in  Culpepper,  and  shortly  after  on  Robinson 
river,  now  Madison  county.  Soon  after  his  removal  to  Madi- 
son, he  was  called  to  perform  a  tour  of  militia  duty,  and  his 
zeal  for  the  cause  of  American  independence  impelled  him  on 
to  North  Carolina,  where  he  served  a  long  time  under  Gen- 
eral Green,  as  commander-in-chief.  Shortly  after  his  return 
from  the  southern  tour,  he  was  again  called  into  military  ser- 
vice, and  was  in  the  siege  which  ended  with  the  surrender  of 
Cornwallis  at  York.  It  is  not  our  intention  to  speak  particu- 
larly of  his  military  carper,  but  enough  is  known  on  that  sub- 
ject to  show,  that  whatever  he  thought  it  his  duty  to  under- 
take, his  duty  was  to  be  done.  Peace  being  restored  to  his 
happy  country,  Elder  Conner  returned  home  to  provide  for  the 
wants  of  his  family.  If  he  had  not  taken  membership  at 
Crooked  run,  during  his  residence  on  Cedar  run,  he  probably 
did  so,  soon  after  his  removal  to  Robinson  river. 

During  the  great  revival  of  religion  in  1788,  Elder  Conner 
was  greatly  aroused,  and  a  new  impulse  was  given  to  the  ex- 
ercise of  his  gifts  in  preaching,  which  had  not  been  so  fre- 
quent after  the  dissolution  of  the  church  on  Mountain  run. 

He  not  only  attended  with  Elder  I.  Garrett  at  Crooked  run, 
but  travelled  with  Elder  William  Mason  to  Robinson  church 
(under  Mason's  pastoral  care)  and  other  places,  at  which  he 
preached.  In  these  tours  an  attachment  was  formed  between 
these  two  old  servants,  that  was  never  lost. 


184  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

About  the  year  1790,  Elder  Conner  again  removed  and  set- 
tled on  a  farm  he  had  purchased,  near  where  the  village  of 
Woodville  now  stands,  Elder  William  Mason  being  then  the 
pastor  of  Ragged  mountain  church,  now  F  T.  Elder  Con- 
ner frequently  attended  with  him  at  that  place.  After  a  short 
time,  Elder  Mason  being  called  to  the  care  of  Gourdvine 
church,  then  newly  constituted;  prevailed  on  Conner  to  take 
his  place  as  pastor  of  F  T.  The  church  unanimously  chose 
him  to  that  office,  and  he  was  ordained  for  the  purpose,  and 
entered  upon  its  duties  in  the  year  1793,  preaching  statedly, 
twice  a  month.  This  church  was  greatly  blessed  under  his 
ministry,  and  has  always  been  respectable  for  its  intelligence, 
its  numbers,  and  the  piety  and  fellowship  of  its  members. 

Some  twelve  or  fifteen  years  after  this  period,  the  church 
at  Thornton's  gap  invited  him  to  become  their  spiritual  shep- 
herd, which  he  finally  agreed  to  do,  the  church  at  F  T  re- 
luctantly agreeing  to  give  up  one  of  its  meetings  in  each 
month,  that  their  brethren  of  Thornton's  gap  might  be  ac- 
commodated. Soon  after  this  he  was  called  to  the  care  of 
Battle  run  church;  so  that  now  he  had  the  pastoral  superin- 
tendence of  three  churches;  and  besides,  he  preached  statedly 
for  sometime  at  Salem  meeting  house,  where  a  church  was 
constituted  a  year  or  two  after  his  death,  under  the  care 
of  Elder  Champer  C.  Conner,  his  grandson,  now  removed  to 
Tennessee.  Thus  was  his  time  fully  occupied,  and  it  may  be 
said  with  truth,  profitably  employed.  If  it  can  be  said  of  any 
man  ever  known,  that  every  one  in  his  churches  and  congrega- 
tions loved  and  venerated  him,  it  is  true  of  Elder  Conner.  His 
opinion  was  always  acknowledged  as  conclusive  on  any  subject 
of  difference  among  his  brethren;  and  such  was  the  respect  in 
which  his  judgment  and  integrity  were  held  by  all  in  his 
neighborhood,  that  disputes  on  other  subjects  were  frequently 
left  to  him,  both  parties  choosing  him,  and  agreeing  to  be  satis- 
fied with  his  decision. 

In  June,  1815,  his  earthly  companion  was  removed  from 
him  in  her  79th  year,  after  a  tedious  and  painful  illness.     It  is. 


LEWIS    CONNER.  185 

confidently  hoped  by  her  surviving  relations  and  friends,  that 
she  was  prepared  to  enter  into  that  rest  which  remains  for  the 
people  of  God.  Some  time  in  the  ensuing  year,  all  his  chil- 
dren having  left  him  to  make  settlements  of  their  own,  Elder 
Conner  married  the  widow  Farraw,  and  removed  to  her  resi- 
dence near  Battle  run  meeting  house,  where  he  continued  to 
reside  till  his  death.  This  lady  had  been  a  member  of  Battle 
run  church  for  many  years,  and  was  to  him  all  that  was  affec- 
tionate and  tender. 

Several  years  before  his  death,  becoming  more  infirm  and 
residing  more  than  20  miles  from  F  T  church,  at  his  request, 
Elder  William  F.  Broaddus  was  associated  with  him  in  the 
pastoral  office  of  that  church,  and  after  a  year  or  two,  grow- 
ing more  infirm  still,  he  prevailed  on  the  church  entirely  to 
release  him.  Not  long  after,  he  resigned  also,  and  for  the  same 
reason,  the  care  of  Thornton's  gap,  retaining  only  Battle  run, 
which  was  very  near  him. 

At  the  time  of  his  death,  he  was  but  the  nominal  pastor  of 
Battle  run;  the  church  having,  at  his  request,  a  short  time  be- 
fore, associated  with  him  Elder  Thomas  Buck,  jr.  as  assistant. 
Here  he  preached  his  last  sermon;  and  some  who  heard  it, 
considered  it  inferior  to  none  they  had  ever  heard  from  him. 
He  lived  but  a  few  weeks  after,  retaining  his  consciousness  to 
the  very  last  hour,  and  assuring  those  around  him,  that  he  was 
about  to  take  possession  of  the  inheritance  he  had  so  long 
sought.  His  death  occurred  June,  1832,  in  the  87th  year  of 
his  age. 

Elder  Conner's  preaching  talents  were  of  no  ordinary  grade. 
He  was  not  inclined  to  meddle  with  abstruse  subjects,  particu- 
larly in  the  pulpit.  Redemption  was  the  theme  on  which  he 
delighted  most  of  all  to  dwell.  The  sufficiency  of  the  work  of 
Christ,  to  save  all  that  believe  on  him,  was  the  grand  topic  of 
his  pulpit  exhibitions;  and  so  filled  was  he  with  this  subject 
that  he  rarely  failed  to  become  very  eloquent,  while  recom- 
mending Christ  to  his  dying  fellow  men.  His  language  was 
strong,  and,  notwithstanding  his  deficiency  in  point  of  educa- 


186  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

tion,  remarkably  correct;  his  voice  unusually  musical,  especi- 
ally when  he  felt  animated  by  his  own  interest  in  the  subject 
discussed:  and  although  it  is  probable  he  scarcely  ever  paid  the 
slightest  attention  to  any  written  laws  in  his  gesticulation,  yet 
his  whole  manner  in  the  pulpit  was  highly  graceful  and  com- 
manding. He  never  preached  long  sermons,  being  satisfied, 
as  he  used  to  say,  ''to  reap  the  wheat,  without  stopping  to  reap 
the  stubble  also."  He  rarely  exceeded  forty-five  minutes,  during 
which  time  he  would  say  more  than  many  pulpit  men  would 
say  in  two  hours. 

Elder  Conner  might  be  considered  a  moderate  Calvinist. 
The  writer  of  this  article  has  heard  him  preach  a  great  num- 
ber of  sermons,  without  ever  hearing  him  introduce  any  one 
of  the  "Jive  points*'  for  special  discussion.  It  would  be  diffi- 
cult to  say,  whether  or  not  he  was  a  doctrinal  preacher.  If 
he  introduced  the  doctrine  of  "election"  it  was  with  a  view  to 
exhort  the  brethren,  to  "give  all  diligence,  to  make  their  call- 
ing and  election  sure."  If  he  spoke  of  "total  depravity"  it 
was  to  urge  men  to  go  to  Christ  for  cleansing.  If  he  alluded 
to  the  "final  perseverance  of  the  saints,"  it  was  with  a  view  to 
exhort  the  disciples  to  persevere.  He  used  frequently  to  re- 
mark, "the  best  proof  of  the  perseverance  of  the  saints  is,  that 
they  do  persevere."  In  short;  whatever  doctrine  he  introduced, 
was  presented  in  a  manner  so  decidedly  practical,  that  no  sin- 
ner could  ever  leave  the  sound  of  his  voice,  without  feeling  that 
his  duty  had  been  affectionately  urged  upon  him.  Next  to  the 
bible,  he  preferred  the  writings  of  President  Edwards;  and 
with  such  light  as  Edwards  supplied  him,  he  was  in  no  danger 
of  Antinomian  abstractions. 

Elder  Conner  never  entered  into  the  spirit  of  modern  mis- 
sionary eflbrts.  Indeed  his  influence  was  exerted  against  the 
mission  cause;  and  being  very  considerable  in  the  Shiloh  asso- 
ciation, it  no  doubt  proved  a  powerful  means  of  preventing  that 
body  from  enlisting  in  the  missionary  cause.  This  opposition 
may  very  readily  be  accounted  for,  without  supposing  that  he 
entertained  sentiments  unfriendly  to  the  spread  of  the  gospel 


LKWIS    CONNER.  187 

in  heathen  lands.  The  truth  is,  he  was  not  informed  on  this 
subject.  He  was  an  aged  man  when  the  mission  influence  com- 
menced in  this  country.  He  was  alarmed  by  the  novelty  of 
the  scheme,  and  his  fears  of  innovation  upon  long  established 
Baptist  customs,  deterred  him  from  examining  the  subject.  It 
is  confidently  believed  by  many  who  knew  him  well,  that  if  he 
had  witnessed  the  success  that  has  attended  the  labors  of  our 
missionaries  among  the  heathen,  he  would  have  entered  heart- 
ily into  the  measure.  Elder  Luther  Rice,  who  spent  many  a 
night  under  his  hospitable  roof,  used  to  say,  "Father  Conner's 
heart  is  in  favor  of  missions,  though  he  does  not  see  into  our 
present  operations. "  It  was  apparent  to  his  intimate  friends, 
that  towards  the  close  of  his  life,  he  was  more  inclined  to  fa- 
vor this  cause  than  he  had  been;  and  the  idea  is  here  repeated, 
that  if  he  had  seen,  what  many  others  have  seen,  of  the  success 
of  this  heaven-inspired  enterprise,  he  would  have  advocated  it 
with  all  his  heart.  Shortly  before  his  death,  an  extensive  re- 
vival took  place  in  Culpepper  county;  and  while  some  who  now 
wish  to  identify  themselves  with  him,  were  crying  out  "wild- 
fire!" "enthusiasm!"  &c.  &c.  he  was  rejoicing  with  the  angels 
over  repenting  sinners.  "O!"  said  he,  to  a  young  minister  who 
had  been  telling  him  of  the  displays  of  God's  grace,  recently 
witnessed  in  a  revival,  "how  glad  1  should  be  to  unite  in  such 
scenes;  but  my  day  has  gone  by.  Go  on,  my  brother,  and  the 
Lord  make  you  instrumental  of  turning  many  to  righteous- 
ness." These  remarks  are  made,  in  order  to  disabuse  the  pub- 
lic mind  of  an  impression  sought  to  be  made  by  some  who  are 
now  opposing  every  thing  like  efforts  for  the  conversion  of  sin- 
ners, and  pleading  all  the  time  the  example  of  Elder  Conner. 

In  civil  affairs,  Elder  Conner  acted  a  very  conspicuous  part. 
He  had  given  close  attention  to  the  progress  of  those  political 
events  which  resulted  in  the  present  happy  form  of  govern- 
ment, under  which  the  people  of  the  United  States  have 
become  the  admiration  of  the  whole  earth.  His  political 
opinions  were  eagerly  sought  after,  and  listened  to  with  pro- 
found attention  by  the  youth  who  were  growing  up  around  him; 


188  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

while  aspirants  to  office  in  the  county  in  which  he  resided,  nev- 
er  failed  to  feel  themselves  much  surer  of  success,  if  they 
found  the  weight  of  his  name  and  opinions  in  their  scale.  Per- 
haps it  may  be  set  down  as  a  misfortune,  so  far  as  his  ministe- 
rial usefulness  was  concerned,  that  so  much  of  his  attention  was 
given  to  politics.  He  lived,  however,  at  a  day  when  the  num- 
ber of  men  capable  of  exerting  an  active  influence  in  political 
affairs,  was  comparatively  small;  and  those  who  knew  him 
will  remember,  that  with  all  his  political  knowledge  and  zeal, 
there  was  a  native  dignity  about  him,  which  could  never  stoop 
to  do  the  work  of  a  mere  partizan  politician. 

For  many  years  he  filled,  with  credit  to  himself,  and  advan- 
tage to  the  community,  the  office  of  magistrate,  and  was  re- 
warded for  his  services,  by  being  appointed  to  the  sheriffalty. 
The  duties  pertaining  to  these  stations  he  discharged  in  a  man- 
ner highly  creditable  both  to  his  talents,  and  his  integrity.  In- 
deed he  filled  all  the  stations  he  sustained,  with  so  great  satis- 
faction to  all  interested,  that  if  an  attempt  were  made  to  fix  o 
single  stain  upon  his  character,  it  could  not  succeed.  All 
who  knew  him,  will  sustain  this  declaration;  and  it  is  a  decla- 
ration which,  alas!  can  be  made  to  few  whose  lives  have  filled  so 
many  years. 

Elder  Conner  was  once  urging  in  the  pulpit,  the  necessity 
of  divine  influence,  in  order  to  rectify  the  human  will.  After 
the  sermon,  an  individual  came  to  him,  in  a  great  passion,  and 
alleged  that  he  had  preached  false  doctrine:  "for  (said  he) 
the  human  will  needs  no  rectifying."  ''Will  you  allow  me 
(inquired  Mr.  Conner)  to  ask  you  two  questions?''  "Certainly, 
sir."  "Well,  sir,  in  the  first  place,  do  you  believe  that  it  is  the 
duty  of  every  man  to  submit  at  once  to  God,  and  to  take  up  the 
cross,  and  follow  Jesus  Christ?''  "Yes,  sir,  most  assuredly; 
and  if  a  man  does  not  thus  act,  he  alone  is  to  blame."  "One 
more  question:  have  you  submitted  to  God,  and  taken  up  the 
cross;  to  follow  Christ?"  "No,  sir,  I  cannot  say  I  have.''  "It 
would  seem  then  (replied  Mr.  Conner,  with  a  pleasant  smile) 
that  your  will  at  least  needs  rectifying." 


LEWIS    CONNER.  189 

Not  many  years  before  his  death,  an  attempt  was  made  to 
raise  a  fund,  for  the  purpose  of  compensating  ministers,  sent 
by  the  Shiloh  Association,  as  corresponding  messengers  to 
other  associations.  Elder  Conner  warmly  supported  this  meas- 
ure, upon  the  ground  that  the  "laborer  is  worthy  of  his  hire.'r 
Many,  however,  feared  that  it  was  an  entering  wedge  for  in- 
creasing the  salaries  of  ministers,  and  warmly  opposed  it  as  a 
vioneij  loving  scheme,  originating,  as  some  remarked  in  the 
association,  in  the  disposition  of  the  horse-leech,  which  is  al- 
ways crying,  "give!  give!"  The  proposition  was  voted  down; 
whereupon  Elder  Conner  remarked,  "You  have  gained  the 
victory,  brethren,  but  a  few  such  victories  will  disgrace  your 
body.'' 

The  writer  of  this  article  has  often  heard  Elder  Conner  de- 
plore the  backwardness  of  the  churches  in  supporting  the  min- 
istry. He  did  not  speak  this  because  he  was  himself  in  want; 
for  God  had  favored  him  with  abundance  of  earthly  substance. 
But  he  thought  it  a  great  reproach  to  the  church,  that  a  min- 
ister should  be  suffered  to  labor  without  adequate  compensa- 
tion. Once  he  was  heard  to  say,  when  speaking  on  this  sub- 
ject, "How  honest  men,  and  especially  Christian  men,  can  get 
over  paying  just  debts,  I  leave  for  wiser  heads  to  find  out.'' 

It  has  been  thought  by  some,  that  his  talent  was  not  so 
great  in  gathering  converts,  as  in  building  up  and  comforting 
believers;  in  which  certainly  he  was  conspicuous.  In  times  of 
revival,  he  was  always  zealous;  and  his  sermons  abounded  with 
exhortations  to  sinners.  In  prayer  he  was  often  sublime,  his 
mind  seeming  gently  to  rise  from  sublunary  things  to  the  very 
portals  of  heaven;  his  voice  assuming  a  soft  melody  that  was 
highly  impressive.  In  singing  his  voice  was  remarkably  soft 
and  melodious. 

In  church  government  perhaps  he  had  few  superiors,  never 
favoring  one  party,  but  always  endeavoring  to  promote  har- 
mony, which  he  eminently  enforced  by  his  own  example.  In 
his  churches  his  pastoral  duties  were  performed  with  fidelity 
to  the  Master,  though  with  tenderness  to  his  brethren.  There 
17 


190  BIOGRAPHY     OF 

was  a  conciseness  in  what  lie  said  on  occasions  of  misconduct 
in  members,  that  was  peculiarly  efficient  and  productive  of 
good.  One  instance  the  writer  will  mention,  which  he  saw 
and  heard  himself,  perhaps  twenty  years  ago.  A  brother, 
somewhat  advanced  in  years,  was  called  before  the  church,  to 
answer  the  charge  of  excessive  drinking.  He  had  more  than 
once  before  been  arraigned  for  the  same  offence,  and  his  breth- 
ren had  borne  with  and  excused  him.  Upon  his  contrition  and 
acknowledgment,  they  were  again  willing  to  pass  it  over,  but 
requested  that  the  moderator  should  admonish  him.  He  ad- 
dressed him  as  follows:  ''Brother,  you  have  reason  greatly  to 
love  and  respect  your  brethren,  for  their  forbearance  towards 
you.  They  might  well  have  cut  you  off  from  them,  and  you 
could  not  have  thought  hard  of  them.''  The  old  member  ob- 
served, "I  feel  it,  and  I  promise  you,  brother  Conner,  to  try 
not  to  drink  too  much  any  more."  "Dont  promise  me,  broth- 
er," said  Conner,  "promise  the  Lord  you  will  never  drink 
another  drop,  for  so  sure  as  you  drink  a  drop  of  spirits,  you 
will  be  a  drunkard."  This  was  said  in  his  own  peculiar  man- 
ner, and  it  is  believed  was  completely  effectual  in  reclaiming 
the  old  brother,  as  it  is  not  known  that  he  drank  again. 

Elder  Conner  was  a  constant  attendant  of  the  Shiloh  Associ- 
ation, and  always  conspicuous  in  its  business.  For  something 
like  twenty  years,  he  acted  as  moderator  with  no  little  distinc- 
tion. 

Elder  Conner  was  in  his  person  tall,  full  chested,  stooping 
somewhat  in  his  shoulders,  which,  with  the  arms,  were  uncom- 
monly muscular;  body  short  relatively,  high  forehead,  dark 
and  thick  set  hair,  thin  visage,  rather  prominent  cheek  bones, 
blue  and  rather  small  eyes,  beaming  with  the  mildest  lustre  be- 
neath their  high  arched  brows.  Such  was  the  exterior  man. 
In  his  rational  faculties  he  was  highly  gifted.  Endowed  by 
nature  with  a  strong  mind,  and  quick  discriminating  judgment, 
lively  imagination,  retentive  memory,  mild  and  even  tempered 
in  disposition,  all  regulated  by  the  influence  of  divine  grace,  as 
manifested  in  his  love  to  God,  and  his  fellow  men.    The  poor, 


JOHN    SORREL.  191 

the  widow,  and  the  orphan,  found  in  him  a  friend,  so  far  as  his 
means  or  personal  services  would  go.  The  children  of  his 
first  wife,  by  her  former  marriage  (especially  the  younger, 
whom  he  raised)  always  venerated  him  as  a  father.  The 
young  persons  of  his  acquaintance,  as  well  as  the  old,  eagerly 
sought  his  company,  delighted  with  his  chaste  and  interesting 
conversation.  The  writer  of  this  poor  tribute  to  his  memory, 
can  truly  say,  that  he  never  was  in  his  company  an  hour  at  a 
time,  without  being  edified;  and  if  the  subject  was  religious,  as 
it  was  apt  to  be,  without  having  his  strength  and  hopes  in- 
creased. 


JOHN    SORREL, 

Elder  Sorrel  resided  in  Caroline  county,  and  was  a  co- 
temporary  with  Noel,  Ford,  Webber,  &,&.  He  had  but  a  scant 
portion  of  learning,  and  his  preaching  talents  were  of  the  hum- 
ble grade;  but  he  was  esteemed  a  good  man.  He  labored  in 
the  gospel  considerably,  and  was  useful  in  his  day.  He  died 
when  about  sixty  years  of  age,  having  been  for  some  time  af- 
flicted with  a  cancer  in  his  face. 


WILLIAM     MASON. 

Elder  William  Mason  was  born  in  Stafford  county.  At 
an  early  period  he  was  baptized,  and  became  a  member  of  the 
church  at  Chappawamsick.  Soon  after  the  revolutionary  war 
he  married  and  settled  in  Culpepper  county,  and  became  a 
member  of  the  Mount  Pony  church,  of  which  he  continued  a 
member  until  his  death. 

It  is  not  known  in  what  year  he  entered  the  ministry.  It  is 
6aid  his  commencement  was  unusually  unpromising:  so  much 


192  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

so,  indeed,  that  many  of  his  most  intimate  friends  attempted 
to  dissuade  him  from  it;  and  even  the  church  of  which  he 
was  a  member,  was  reluctant  to  encourage  him.  But  anima- 
ted by  the  love  of  perishing  souls,  he  persevered  until  he  be- 
came one  of  the  most  popular  ministers  in  all  the  region  of 
his  labors. 

In  1788,  he  became  pastor  of  Mount  Pony  church,  soon  af- 
ter which,  a  great  revival  of  religion  took  place,  in  the  pro- 
gress of  which  two  hundred  were  baptized.  During  the  same 
year  he  succeeded  Elder  George  Eve  in  the  pastoral  care  of 
the  church  at  F  T.  Here  also,  the  Lord  abundantly  blessed 
his  labors,  and  very  many  were  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the 
truth.  Old  brethren,  in  describing  the  progress  of  this  revi- 
val, have  often  been  heard  to  say,  "The  heavens  seemed  to 
rain  righteousness."  This  revival  is  well  known  among  the 
brethren  of  Culpepper  and  Fauquier  counties,  as  the  great  re- 
vival of  '98.  Such  a  season  had  not  been  experienced  among 
the  churches  in  all  this  region,  until  1832 — '33,  when  the  Lord 
poured  out  his  spirit  most  wonderfully,  and  hundreds,  including 
many  of  the  descendants  of  those  whom  Elder  Mason  had 
baptized,  were  added  to  the  church.  The  writer  of  this  had 
never  heard  much  of  the  revival  of  1798,  until  during  the  re- 
vival just  mentioned,  a  brother  John  Jones  of  Culpepper  county, 
gave  him  a  glowing  description  of  the  former,  and  represented 
the  two  revivals  as  being  characterized  by  very  similar  influ- 
ences and  circumstances. 

In  1790,  the  church  at  F  T  had  become  very  large;  and  as 
many  of  the  members  lived  at  a  remote  distance  from  their 
house  of  worship,  a  new  church  was  constituted  in  Madison 
county,  called  Robinson  river,  composed  chiefly  of  mem- 
bers dismissed  for  that  purpose  from  F  T.  Of  this  church, 
Elder  Mason  was  chosen  pastor,  and  continued  with  considera- 
ble usefulness  until  compelled  by  his  infirmities  to  resign, 
which  he  did  in  1822. 

In  1791,  Gourdvine  church  was  constituted,  in  Culpepper 
county,  chiefly  of  members  dismissed  from  Mount  Pony.     Of 


WILLIAM    MASON.  193 

this  church  also,  Elder  Mason  was  chosen  pastor,  and  continued 
with  great  harmony,  and  with  extensive  usefulness,  until  1822. 

In  1803,  the  church  at  Mount  Pony  experienced  another 
precious  visitation  from  the  Lord,  and  great  numbers  were 
added.  The  influence  of  this  revival  extended  to  a  neighbor- 
hood ten  miles  distant,  where  many  were  baptized  and  consti- 
tuted into  a  church,  called  Bethel.  In  order  to  serve  this 
church  as  pastor,  Elder  Mason  was  induced  to  resign  his 
charge  at  F  T  to  Elder  Lewis  Conner.  He  continued  pastor 
of  Bethel  with  great  success,  until  prevented  by  old  age  and 
infirmity  from  preaching  any  longer,  he  resigned  in  1822. 

About  the  year  1793  or  '4,  the  churches  under  his  care 
purchased  a  farm  of  about  two  hundred  acres,  on  which  he 
resided  until  his  death.  His  whole  attention,  however,  being 
given  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  he  accumulated  but  little 
property,  and  indeed  found  it  difficult  sometimes  to  live  com- 
fortably. Perhaps  his  churches  supposed,  that  by  placing  him 
on  a  farm,  they  would  enable  him  to  support  his  family,  with- 
out much  further  aid  from  them;  whereas,  unless  he  had  pos- 
sessed the  means  of  cultivating  his  farm,  it  was  worth  but 
little  more  to  him  than  a  house  and  garden.  If  churches  in- 
tend to  subtract  any  part  of  the  price  of  land  given  their  min- 
ister, from  his  yearly  support,  they  would  better  not  give  him 
land,  as  they  will  only  thereby  deprive  him  of  a  support  by 
seeming  to  do  him  a  kindness. 

No  pastor  was  ever  more  popular  with  his  churches,  and 
with  the  community  generally,  than  Elder  Mason.  As  a  proof 
of  this  it  may  be  mentioned,  that  he  filled  the  pastoral  office 
at  Mount  Pony  thirty-five  years;  at  Robinson  river  thirty-three 
years;  at  Gourdvine  thirty-two  years;  at  Bethel  twenty  years; 
at  F  T  fifteen  years,  continuing  with  the  first  four  from  their 
constitution  until  his  death;  and  only  resigning  the  last  by  mu- 
tual consent,  when  the  good  of  the  general  cause  rendered  it 
expedient  that  he  should  accept  the  charge  of  Bethel.  In- 
deed, his  preaching  talents  were  such  as  to  command  the  re- 
spect of  the  most  intelligent  of  the  community,  many  of  whom 
17* 


194  BIOGRAPHY     OF 

sat  with  delight,  and  listened  to  the  blessed  invitations  of  the 
gospel  as  they  fell  from  his  lips,  and  gave  proof  that  their 
hearts  were  touched,  by  obeying  the  commandments  and  walk- 
ing in  the  truth.  At  a  very  early  period  he  gave  himself  to 
the  reading  of  the  scriptures,  with  Poole's  annotations;  and  for 
his  acquaintance  with  the  bible,  as  well  as  for  his  general  cor- 
rectness as  an  expositor,  he  might  be  classed  with  the  first 
preachers  of  his  age.  Moreover,  he  was  distinguished  for  ur- 
banity, whether  in  the  pulpit,  or  in  private  circles,  so  that  his 
preaching  and  his  company  were  highly  appreciated  by  all 
who  knew  him:  his  ardent  and  uniform  piety  meanwhile  en- 
dearing him  still  the  more  to  those  who  love  the  image  of 
Jesus. 

It  is  deemed  proper  to  allude  here  to  an  instance  of  weak- 
ness which  occurred  towards  the  close  of  Elder  Mason's  life. 
It  is  no  part  of  the  writer's  intention  to  conceal  facts  which 
may  be  useful  as  a  warning  to  others.  After  having  spent 
the  prime  of  his  life  in  active  labors  for  the  cause  of  God, 
without  a  shade  ever  passing  over  his  character,  he  unfortu- 
nately on  one  or  two  occasions  in  his  old  age  became  intoxi- 
cated by  the  use  of  wine.  He  had  for  many  years  been  very 
infirm,  and  had  now  become  exceedingly  weak,  so  that  a  very 
small  quantity  affected  him,  and  he  not  being  aware  of  the 
extent  of  his  weakness,  once  or  twice  drank  more  than  his 
constitution  would  bear.  His  acknowledgments  on  the  subject, 
however,  were  such  as  to  satisfy  his  brethren  and  the  commu- 
nity around  him,  whose  fellowship  and  confidence  he  continued 
to  enjoy  until  his  death.  How  important  that  ministers  should 
practice  total  abstinence  from  all  intoxicating  drinks,  lest 
through  old  age  or  infirmity,  they  should  one  day  be  overcome, 
and  bring  reproach  upon  the  cause  of  Christ. 

Elder  Mason  was  in  his  doctrine  moderately  Calvinistic. 
Indeed,  some  of  his  more  orthodox  brethren  used  laughingly  to 
charge  him  with  "wearing  too  large  a  cloak."  But  he  had 
the  good  fortune  to  live  at  a  day  when  among  Baptists  a  dif- 
ference of  opinion  upon  abstract  propositions  did  not  interrupt 


BENJAMIN    BURGHER.  195 

Christian  communion.  He  was  greatly  instrumental  in  break- 
ing down  the  wall  of  partition  which  had  so  long  divided  Vir- 
ginia Baptists  into  ''Regulars''  and  "Separates.''  Would  to 
God  there  were  those  among  us  now,  whom  he  would  honor 
as  instruments  of  accomplishing  the  same  good  end.  For 
since  the  fathers  Fristoe,  Conner,  Mason  and  others,  have 
gone  to  their  reward,  certain  foreigners  have  come  amongst 
us,  and  have  built  up  this  odious  wall  again.  He  was  a  warm 
advocate  of  the  missionary  cause,  from  the  time  it  began  to  be 
discussed  in  Virginia,  until  his  death;  often  meeting  with  bro- 
ther Rice,  and  encouraging  him  to  go  on  with  his  work. 


BENJAMIN    BURGHER, 

Among  the  oldest  and  most  useful  ministers  of  the  Albe- 
marle Association,  may  be  named  Elder  Benjamin  Burgher. 
The  advantages  of  a  scholastic  education  were  not  enjoyed  by 
him,  as  his  early  life  was  almost  wholly  employed  in  manual 
labor.  By  trade  he  was  a  blacksmith,  at  which  he  continued 
until  his  entrance  into  the  ministry. 

At  what  time  precisely  he  became  a  professor  of  religion,  is 
not  known.  His  serious  impressions  commenced  in  early  life, 
and  he  was  brought,  after  much  painful  solicitude,  to  the  know- 
ledge of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  This  was  at  a  period  when 
the  influence  of  the  Baptists  had  not  been  extensively  felt  in 
his  native  county,  and  hearing  of  an  association  to  be  held  at 
Grassy  creek  meeting  house,  N.  C.  he  determined  to  attend, 
though  it  was  nearly  two  hundred  miles  from  his  residence. 
In  examining  the  scriptures,  he  saw  the  obligations  of  believ- 
ers' baptism,  and  felt  desirous  to  be  more  intimately  acquaint- 
ed with  those  who,  as  a  denomination,  practised  it.  Having 
ascertained  more  particularly  their  doctrinal  sentiments,  church 
government,  &c.  and  believing  them  to  be  in  accordance  with 
the  word  of  God,  he  conferred  not  with  flesh  and  blood,  but 
"put  on  Christ''  in  baptism. 


196  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

When  about  thirty  years  of  age,  he  commenced  the  minis- 
try. His  soul  burned  with  holy  ardor  to  tell  his  fellow  men 
the  tidings  of  a  Saviour's  love.  He  did  not  long  continue  at 
his  trade,  but  devoted  most  of  his  time  to  the  labors  of  the  min- 
istry. The  Lord  wrought  by  him  with  great  might  to  the  sub- 
version of  the  powers  of  darkness,  and  to  the  conversion  of  sin- 
ners. Several  churches,  either  wholly  or  in  part,  through  his 
instrumentality,  were  gathered  together.  Among  the  rest, 
the  church  called  Mount  Ed,  may  be  particularly  mentioned. 
It  is  located  in  Albemarle  county,  and  was  formerly  known  by 
the  name  of  Whitesides.  The  name  was  changed  in  1806, 
when  a  new  brick  place  of  worship  was  erected.  To  this 
church  he  himself  belonged,  and  in  the  pastoral  relation,  for 
a  series  of  years,  he  faithfully  served  them. 

As  a  preacher,  Elder  Burgher  occupied  an  eminent  posi- 
tion. In  his  comments  on  the  word  of  God,  he  was  thought 
to  be  clear  and  judicious.  He  usually  inclined  to  dwell  on  the 
more  doctrinal  portions  of  divine  truth;  and  there  was  some- 
times indulged  a  degree  of  severity,  in  defending  what  are  call- 
ed Calvinistic  sentiments.  This,  in  a  slight  degree,  was  the 
result  of  a  natural  bluntness  of  manner,  for  which  he  was  dis- 
tinguished. Sometimes  he  would  fail  in  his  pulpit  efforts  alto- 
gether, while  at  other  times  he  was  exceedingly  happy,  and 
would  come  from  the  pulpit  with  tears  flowing  down  his  cheeks, 
and  shaking  hands  with  all  the  congregation. 

In  referring  to  the  soundness  of  his  views,  it  should  be  sta- 
ted, that  he  was  a  very  studious  man.  According  to  the  apos- 
tolic injunction,  he  gave  himself  to  reading  useful  books,  but 
especially  the  word  of  God.  Being  quite  independent  in  his 
circumstances,  and  having  no  children,  the  larger  portion  of 
his  time  was  occupied  in  this  way.  His  taste  for  composition 
was  remarkable  for  one  whose  mind  in  early  life  had  been  so 
much  neglected.  Nearly  all  the  circular  letters  of  the  Albe- 
marle Association,  for  a  series  of  years,  were  prepared  by  him. 
Several  poetic  effusions  of  his  pen,  it  is  said,  discovered  some 


BENJAMIN    BURGHER.  197 

merit;  none  of  them,  however,  have  been  seen  by  the  author 
of  this  sketch. 

Although  he  was  highly  Calvinistic  in  his  sentiments,  the 
extremes  of  Antinomianism  were  never  indulged.  It  is  a  mor- 
tifying fact,  that,  in  some  instances,  the  truth  has  been  held  in 
unrighteousness,  by  those  who  profess  entire  dependence  on 
the  grace  of  God  for  salvation.  They  have  practically  said, 
let  us  sin,  that  grace  may  abound.  But  the  true  Christian 
will  forever  repudiate  such  a  conclusion.  While  he  may  con- 
template himself  as  "chosen  in  Christ  from  before  the  founda- 
tion of  the  world,''  he  will  rejoice  in  the  assurance  that  it  was 
designed  he  ''should  be  holy  and  without  blame  before  him  in 
love."  In  addressing  his  brethren  on  this  subject,  Elder 
Burgher  thus  remarks:  "We  beg  leave  to  recommend  the 
reading  of  the  epistle  of  James,  which  seems  to  be  intended 
to  excite  practical  piety  among  believers,  that  they  might 
thereby  prove  their  faith  to  be  sincere.  True  believers  are 
called  to  holiness,  glory,  and  virtue.  Faith  purifies  the  heart, 
and  works  by  love;  nor  can  it  ever  be  said  in  truth,  that  Christ 
is  the  minister  of  sin;  although  he  pardons  sinners,  heals  the 
backslidings  of  saints,  and  preserves  his  people  from  the  dam- 
nation of  hell,  jet  it  is  in  a  way  of  righteousness  and  true  ho- 
liness, so  as  to  manifest  his  glorious  perfections,  and  the  rich- 
es of  divine  grace  in  their  eternal  salvation. 

It  would  not  be  proper  to  omit  the  fact,  that  this  estimable 
man  was  a  warm  and  decided  friend  of  missions.  Although 
he  was  advanced  in  years  when  the  efforts  to  send  the  gospel 
to  pagan  lands  was  commenced  in  this  country,  he  gave  it  his 
cordial  support.  Aged  men  are  prone  to  look  with  suspicion 
on  all  new  enterprises,  being  unwilling  to  leave  the  beaten 
track  which  has  been  pursued  by  them  from  earliest  youth. 
This  accounts  for  the  fact,  that  some  excellent  brethren  have 
not  entered  with  zeal  into  the  various  plans  of  Christian  benev- 
olence, which  characterize  the  present  day.  Such  brethren 
ought  not  to  be  treated  with  unkindness,  much  less  ridiculed 
and  contemned.     If  they  are  not  to  be  convinced  of  the  expe- 


198  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

diency  of  these  measures,  they  should  still  be  regarded  as  the 
children  of  God,  their  deportment  being  in  other  respects  con- 
sistent. As  already  remarked,  Elder  Burgher  did  not  yield 
to  the  prejudice,  that  the  mission  cause  was  not  tenable,  be- 
cause in  Virginia  no  effort  was  made  until  1814.  In  1816, 
he  thus  pleads  with  his  brethren:  "Brother  Judson  and  his 
wife  are  now  at  Rangoon,  in  the  Burman  empire,  learning  the 
language,  to  enable  him  to  preach  to  them.  Another  brother 
and  his  wife,  with  a  Miss  White,  have  gone  to  the  same  place, 
with  the  intention  to  help  on  the  glorious  cause.  Brother 
Luther  Rice,  who  has  formerly  been  in  that  country,  and 
who  has  been  preaching,  and  travelling  through  the  United 
States  for  some  time  past,  intends,  we  understand,  to  return 
there  again. 

"And  now,  dear  brethren,  what  remains  but  to  impress  your 
minds  with  the  duty  you  owe  to  God  and  your  fellow  creatures, 
that  you  may  be  induced  to  lend  a  helping  hand,  and  cast  your 
mite  into  the  treasury  of  the  Lord,  to  support  such  a  glorious 
cause.  Remember,  that  in  time  past  ye  walked  according  to 
the  course  of  this  world,  fulfilling  the  desires  of  the  flesh  and 
of  the  mind,  and  were  by  nature  the  children  of  wrath  even  as 
others.  But  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  commanded  the  light 
to  shine  out  of  darkness,  and  hath  shined  in  our  hearts  to  give 
the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of 
Jesus  Christ.  And  how  did  our  hearts  burn  with  love  and  grat- 
itude to  Him  who  is  able  and  mighty  to  save?  and  shall  not  the 
heathen  world,  when  they  are  favored  with  the  glorious  gospel, 
and  the  graces  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  show  forth  the  praises  of 
Him,  who  hath  called  them  out  of  darkness  into  his  marvelous 
light. 

"While  we  are  praying  for  the  prosperity  of  Zion,  and  the 
spread  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  let  our  practice  correspond 
therewith  and  prove  our  petitions  to  be  sincere,  by  lending  a 
benevolent  hand  to  its  support.  If  it  be  inquired  what  has 
God  done,  we  reply  he  has  done  great  things  for  us,  whereof 
we  are  glad,  and  he  will  do  greater   things  than  these  that  ye 


BENJAMIN    BURGHER.  109 

may  marvel.  Millions  that  are  yet  unborn  shall,  in  their  time, 
hear  the  gospel  of  Christ  and  believe  in  his  name  to  life  ever- 
lasting, for  the  prophecy  is  gone  before,  saying,  "he  shall  see 
his  seed,  the  travail  of  his  soul,  and  be  satisfied;  and  the  plea- 
sure of  the  Lord  shall  prosper  in  his  hands.  And  it  shall  " 
come  to  pass,  that  in  the  place  where  it  was  said  to  them  ye 
are  not  of  my  people,  there  shall  they  be  called  the  children  of 
the  living  God.'' 

In  regard  to  the  personal  character  of  our  venerated  bro- 
ther, it  may  be  stated  that  he  was  held  in  high  estimation  by 
all  classes.  In  his  familiar  association  with  men  he  was  cheer- 
ful, and  sometimes,  especially  with  the  young,  he  would  in- 
dulge in  what  might  be  considered  an  unjustifiable  levity. 

Elder  Burgher  lived  to  be  very  aged,  and  to  the  close  of 
life,  continued  to  adorn  the  doctrines  of  God,  his  Saviour. 
For  some  time  before  his  death,  he  expressed  a  wish  to  be 
suddenly  removed.  In  this  wish  he  was  gratified.  The  Lord's 
day  before  his  death,  he  preached  in  usual  health.  He  ex- 
pected to  speak  on  the  following  Sunday,  but  on  Saturday, 
after  having  been  very  cheerful  through  the  day,  just  before 
night  he  walked  into  the  garden,  and  returning,  said  to  his 
wife,  "I  am  dying."  She  proposed  to  send  for  some  Christian 
brother,  but  he  opposed  it,  intimating  that  before  the  breaking 
of  day  the  conquest  would  be  over.  And  so  it  was.  That 
night  he  breathed  his  last;  so  softly,  so  sweetly,  that  those  who 
were  with  him  scarcely  knew  the  precise  moment. 

He  died  Nov.  12th,  1822,  in  the  78th  year  of  his  age.  His 
funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  Elder  William  Duncan,  from 
the  words  of  Simeon:  "Lord!  now  leltest  thou  thy  servant  de- 
part in  peace  according  to  thy  word,  for  mine  eyes  have  seen 
thv  salvation." 


200  BIOGRAPHY     OF 


RANE    CHASTAIN, 


The  parents  of  Elder  Chastain,  were  both  of  French  ex- 
tract, but  settled  in  Powhatan  county,  where  he  was  born, 
June  28th,  1741.  When  quite  young,  he  removed  to  Buck- 
ingham, in  which  county  he  remained  the  remnant  of  his  days. 
Though  his  education  was  much  neglected,  his  morals  were  of 
the  most  unimpeachable  character.  In  his  19th  year,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Ann  Ford,  and  soon  after,  under  the  preaching 
of  Filder  C.  Clark,  was  awakened  to  the  exercise  of  pungent 
conviction  for  sin.  Such  was  the  sense  of  his  lost  condition, 
that  he  could  not  refrain  from  exhorting  sinners  to  repent, 
although  he  was  himself  without  evidence  of  divine  accept- 
ance. "I  knew,"  said  he,  "I  should  be  lost,  and  they  too,  if 
God  did  not  have  mercy  on  us,  and,  therefore,  was  compelled 
to  tell  my  neighbors  of  their  danger,  for  if  1  was  lost,  I  did 
not  wish  them  to  be  lost  with  me." 

At  length  he  rejoiced  in  Christ,  and  August,  1770,  was  bap- 
tized. Immediately,  he  conferred  not  with  flesh  and  blood, 
but  began  to  preach  Christ  to  the  people.  In  April,  1772, 
Buckingham  church  was  constituted,  at  which  time  he  was  or- 
dained. He  was  at  once  chosen  their  pastor,  and  continued 
in  this  office  as  long   as  he  lived,  a  period  of  fifty-three  years. 

From  his  first  entrance  into  the  ministry,  he  manifested  a 
zeal  becoming  this  high  vocation.  At  different  periods,  he 
supplied  regularly,  Cumberland,  Providence,  Mulberry  grove 
churches,  &c.  The  toils  and  responsibilities  of  the  ministry, 
were  his  chief  glory.  To  be  useful,  was  his  great  concern, 
and  the  Lord  gave  him  the  desire  of  his  heart,  in  becoming  the 
means  of  conversion  to  hundreds  of  souls.  In  his  history  was 
evinced  how  much,  under  the  divine  blessing,  may  be  done  by 
a  man  of  comparatively  feeble  talents,  who  gives  himself  to  the 
work.  Many  pious  men,  much  his  superiors  in  intellectual 
endowments,  would  have  failed  to  fill,  as  he  did,  the  pastoral 
office.    An  affectionate  spirit,  united  with  persevering  patience, 


RANE    CHASTAI^.  '-201 

are  absolutely  essential  to  success,  if  a  spiritual  shepherd  would 
feed  and  preserve  from  wandering  the  flock  of  Christ.  These 
qualities  were  possessed  in  no  small  degree  by  tho  subject  of 
this  sketch.  Not  as  lording  it  over  the  heritage  of  God,  did 
he  serve,  but  with  winning  softness  of  manner,  he  went  in  and 
out  among  the  people  of  his  charge.  By  his  churches,  he  was 
tenderly  loved.  They  knew  how  to  appreciate  his  labors, 
though  it  is  much  to  be  regretted,  they  failed  to  supply  such  a 
support  for  his  family  as  would  enable  him  to  devote  more  time 
and  labor  to  their  spiritual  good.  This  was,  to  some  extent, 
the  result  of  ignorance,  as  they  had  not  been  taught  their  duty 
with  regard  to  the  support  of  him  who  labored  for  them  in 
spiritual  things.  Their  pastor  in  this  particular  was  doubtless 
defective.  It  is  an  unscriptural  delicacy  a  minister  indulges, 
when  he  omits  to  present  clearly  and  faithfully  the  obligation 
of  a  church,  to  furnish  him  a  competent  support.  Elder  Chastain 
would  sometimes  say,  if  the  Lord  will  keep  me  humble,  the 
churches  will  keep  me  poor.  And  so  it  was,  for  he  would  often, 
during  the  week,  be  compelled  to  plough  until  the  hour  for  pub- 
lic worship,  and  again  returned  to  the  field.  He  could  truly  say 
his  own  hands  ministered  to  his  necessities. 

Notwithstanding  extreme  old  age,  and  some  decay  of  the 
mental  powers,  he  retained  his  accustomed  clearness  of  thought, 
and  honest  zeal,  when  engaged  in  preaching  the  gospel.  At 
length,  after  an  illness  of  five  weeks,  which  he  bore  with  Chris- 
tian patience,  he  calmly  resigned  himself  to  death,  in  the  83d 
year  of  his  age,  having  worn  himself  out  in  the  service  of  his 
Lord  and  Master.  When  lingering  on  the  confines  of  life,  he 
was  asked  by  one  of  the  members  of  his  church,  if  he  wished  to 
recover;  he  replied,  ''if  my-  Master  has  any  thing  more  for  me 
to  do,  I  am  willing  to  stay,  but  if  not,  I  have  no  desire  to  re- 
cover," 'fbut,  said  he,  I  do  not  think  1  have  any  will  of  my  own, 
the  will  of  the  Lord,  is  my  will."  He  retained  his  senses  to 
the  close  of  life,  and  the  last  words  he  was  heard  to  utter,  were, 
"I  have  made  full  proof  of  my  ministry.'' 

The  following  anecdote  is   related  of  him.     During  the  im- 
1S 


202  BIOGRAPHY     OP 

prisonment  of  several  ministers  in  Chesterfield,  he  was  requested 
to  go  down  and  baptize  the  converts,  who,  from  the  prison,  had 
heard  the  word  of  life.  He  went,  and  on  his  arrival,  was  or- 
dered on  pain  of  imprisonment  to  leave  the  county.  Having 
refused,  he  gave  notice  he  should  preach  at  an  arbor  in  that 
neighborhood.  On  the  day  appointed,  he  attended,  and  having 
risen,  a  man  with  a  bottle  of  rum  appeared,  and  commanded  him 
to  come  down,  and  take  a  dram,  or  he  would  horse-whip  him. 
Mr.  C.  replied,  I  do  not  wish  to  drink,  and  as  I  am  not  gener- 
ally tedious  you  shall  not  be  long  detained.  His  gentleness  of 
manner  subdued  the  lion  spirit  before  him,  and  he  proceeded, 
and  with  great  pungency,  preached  the  truth.  He  afterwards 
said,  I  felt  perfectly  willing  to  receive  stripes  for  His  sake,  who 
was  so  willingly  stricken  for  me. 


ELEAZER     CLAY. 


Born  May  2d,  1744.  He  was  in  early  life,  the  subject  of 
serious  impressions,  having  heard  the  word  preached  by  Bap- 
tist ministers  in  Halifax  county.  For  several  years,  however 
he  remained  destitute  of  hope  in  Christ.  In  his  own  county, 
he  was  entirely  without  the  range  of  religious  instruction,  as 
the  gospel,  in  its  purity,  was  at  that  time  but  seldom  heard. 
In  the  latter  part  of  1770,  Elders  William  Webber  and  Jo- 
seph Anthony,  having  been  successfully  engaged  in  publishing 
salvation  on  the  north  side  of  James  river,  were  invited  to 
visit  and  preach  in  Chesterfield.  At  this  time  there  was  not  a 
Baptist  in  the  county.  The  Lord  was  with  them,  and  many 
souls  were  brought  to  rejoice  in  his  salvation.  They  met  with 
the  most  violent  opposition,  and  the  magistrates  themselves, 
becoming  much  enraged,  issued  warrants  for  their  apprehen- 
sion. They  were  thrown  into  prison,  and  there  remained  for 
three  months.  "But  the  word  of  the  Lord  grew  and  multi- 
plied."    One  of  the  subjects  of  this    good    work,  an  intimate 


ELEAZEK    CLAY.  203 

friend  of  Elder  Clay,  became  deeply  concerned  on  his  behalf, 
and  having  called  to  see  him,  was  made  the  instrument  of  again 
awakening  his  mind  to  consider  the  value  of  eternal  things. 
He  soon  saw  and  felt  his  need  of  Christ;  and  found  peace  in 
believing.  Although  persecution  was  raging,  he  at  once  ac- 
knowledged his  new  Master,  in  the  ordinance  of  baptism.  This 
took  place  iu  August,  1771.  His  sincerity  and  firmness  were 
indicated  by  the  fact,  that  while  he  was  at  that  time  in  pros- 
perous worldly  circumstances,  and  possessing  much  influence 
in  society;  and  while  the  Baptists  were  held  in  almost  universal 
contempt,  he  nevertheless  determined  to  identify  himself  with 
them. 

He  immediately  commenced  the  ministry,  and  in  1775,  was 
ordained  and  took  charge  of  Chesterfield  church,  which  had 
been  constituted  a  year  or  two  previous.  He  entered  with 
holy  boldness  upon  the  work  of  preaching  Christ  and  him  cru- 
cified. Although  others  were  thrown  into  prison,  and  in  va- 
rious ways  most  shamefully  abused,  he  did  not  suffer  by  the 
hand  of  violence.  He  was  a  man  of  dauntless  spirit,  and  the 
opposers  feared  to  maltreat  him.  The  following  is  a  letter  ad- 
dressed  to  Elder  John  Williams,  urging  him  to  visit  and  assist 
them  in  preaching  throughout  the  county  of  Chesterfield.  At 
this  time  several  were  confined  in  the  jail,  and  he  being  in 
comfortable  circumstances,  assisted  much  in  supplying  their 
wants. 

Chesterfield,  July  21st,  1773. 
Dear  Brother  Williams, 

1  have  long  looked  for  you  to  come  down  to  see  us,  and 
the  prisoners.  We  would  be  glad  to  see  you  soon,  for  we  wish 
you  to  baptize  those  that  are  now  waiting  for  an  opportunity. 
The  Lord  is  carrying  on  a  glorious  work  in  our  county,  espe- 
cially below  the  court  house.  Let  brother  Watkins  know 
that  the  Lord  has  not  passed  by  Mrs.  F.,  but,  as  some  believe, 
has  placed  her  name  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life.  The  preach- 
ing at  the  prison  is  not  attended  in  vain,  for  we  hope  that 
several  are   savingly  converted,  while    others  are  under  great 


204  BIOGRAPHY    or 

distress,  and  are  made  to  cry  out,  'what  shall  we  do  to  be 
saved.'  Time  fails  ine  this  opportunity  to  tell  all.  The  breth- 
ren daily  look  for  you  to  come  down,  they  talk  much  about 
you.  Remember  me  to  all  the  Christian  brethren.  The  grace 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  all,  Amen. 
Yours,  in  Christ, 

ELEAZER  CLAY. 

Elder  Clay  did  not  travel  extensively  beyond  the  limits  of 
his  own  county.  There,  however,  he  labored  faithfully.  For 
several  years  before  his  death,  he  became  so  infirm  as  to  be 
unable  to  attend  his  regular  appointments,  or  even  to  leave  the 
house.  During  this  long  confinement,  he  evinced  strong  trust 
in  God  and  attachment  to  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel.  When- 
ever he  was  visited  by  his  friends,  and  especially  by  young 
ministers,  he  never  failed  to  impart  some  wholesome  counsel, 
the  result  of  his  own  long  experience.  To  a  young  minister- 
ing brother,  who  was  introduced  to  him,  before  he  was  seated, 
and  while  holding  his  hand,  he  said,  in  substance,  "I  am  glad 
to  become  acquainted  with  you,  and  especially  to  know  you 
have  entered  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  and  design  to  labor  for 
him  in  the  great  work  of  the  ministry.  Let  me  now  advise 
you  never  to  use  ardent  spirits.  I  have  seen  its  baneful  effects 
in  the  church,  and  among  preachers  of  the  gospel,  and  would 
warn  every  young  minister  against  it." 

Although  at  the  age  of  sixty,  he  could  with  difficulty  see  to 
read,  even  with  spectacles,  yet,  for  several  years  before  his 
death,  his  eyesight  was  entirely  restored.  He  became  more 
and  more  attached  to  the  word  of  God,  and  beside  reading  in 
the  Old  Testament,  he  made  it  a  regular  practice  to  read  the 
New  Testament  through  once  every  month.  As  he  advanced 
to  the  termination  of  his  course,  he  manifested  an  increasing 
spirituality  of  mind.  In  prayer  he  enjoyed  much.  The  writer 
will  never  forget  an  interview  which  he  was  privileged  to  have 
with  this  aged  saint,  a  few  months  previous  to  his  death. 
There  was  a  remarkable  vividness  about  his  conceptions;  and 
his  memory,  in  reference  to  the  history  of  the  church   in  the 


GEORGE    SMITH.  205 

days  of  his  youth,  seemed  to  he  unimpaired.  He  entered  with 
great  spirit  in  conversation  on  the  value  of  the  great  atoning 
sacrifice,  and  the  necessity  of  divine  influence  to  bring  the  heart 
to  rejoice  in  it.  In  alluding  to  his  experience  in  spiritual  mat- 
ters, he  manifested  deep  feeling.  He  said,  with  tears  rolling 
down  his  furrowed  cheeks,  that  he  had  never  known  so  much 
of  the  sweetness  and  richness  of  the  word  of  God,  as  since  his 
confinement  to  the  house,  that  he  had  enjoyed  secret  prayer 
more  than  ever.  During  his  conversation,  he  remarked:  "If 
Christians  did  but  know  how  to  prize  communion  with  God, 
they  would  more  habitually  enjoy  it;  and,  that  he  had  felt  more 
real  happiness  during  one  hour  spent  in  meditation  and  prayer, 
than  the  world  knew  in  a  life-time  spent  in  the  pleasures  of  sin." 

The  author  of  this  sketch  again  called  to  see  him,  hoping  to 
enjoy  the  delightful  opportunity  of  listening  to  his  instructive 
conversation.  But  he  had  been  the  previous  evening  attacked 
by  severe  illness,  and  was  unable  to  speak.  Within  a  k\v  days 
he  breathed  his  last.     He  died  May  2d,  1836,  in  his  92d  year. 

Elder  Clay  possessed  naturally  a  strong  mind.  In  his  man- 
ners he  was  inclined  to  bluntness,  but  in  all  his  intercourse 
with  men,  it  is  said  he  made  it  his  great  business  to  recom- 
mend the  subject  of  religion.  He  possessed  considerable  in- 
fluence among  the  churches  in  Chesterfield  county,  and  for 
many  years  occupied  the  Moderator's  chair  in  the  Middle 
District  Association. 


GEORGE    SMITH 


Among  Virginia  Baptist  ministers  of  the  18th  century  is 
found  the  name  of  Elder  George  Smith.  He  was  a  native  of 
Powhatan  county.  He  was  accustomed  from  childhood  to 
mingle  with  the  best  society,  and  inclined  to  be  gay  and  thought- 
less. His  first  serious  impressions  were  produced  by  hearing 
a  Baptist  minister  preach,  being   led  to  the  meeting  by  mere 


20t>  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

curiosity,  but  the  Lord  overruled  the  circumstance,  and  made 
it  the  means  of  his  conversion.  In  1771  he  was  baptized,  and 
became  a  member  of  the  Powhatan  church.  This  event  cre- 
ated joy  among  the  disciples. 

Having  thus  been  brought  into  the  kingdom,  his  consolations 
were  strong  and  rational.  He  wished  to  tell  every  one  he  met, 
the  Saviour's  love,  and  to  recommend  him  as  the  chief  among 
ten  thousand,  and  altogether  lovely.  He  soon  exhorted  in  pub- 
lic; having  a  most  excellent  voice,  he  engaged  the  attention  of 
the  people,  and  by  his  faithful  warnings,  many  sinners  were 
made  to  tremble.  He  became  connected  in  the  pastoral  rela- 
tion with  the  Powhatan  church,  and  for  some  time  supplied 
Skinquarter  and  Tomahawk  churches,  in  Chesterfield  county. 
In  these  positions,  the  Lord,  through  him,  effected  much  good. 
But  he  was  not  long  retained.  Having  made  several  visits  to 
the  state  of  Kentucky,  he  at  length  determined  to  remove 
thither,  and  in  1804  settled  in  Franklin  county,  about  six  miles 
from  Frankfort.  There  also  he  was  useful.  He  was,  however, 
soon  called  forever  to  leave  the  field  of  ministerial  labor.  A 
short  time  after  his  settlement  in  the  west,  he  was  subject  to 
painful  diseases,  which  gradually  prostrated  his  strength,  and 
in  1809  he  resigned  his  spirit  into  the  hands  of  Him  who 
gave  it. 

Elder  Smith  was,  by  nature,  highly  gifted.  His  appearance 
was  prepossessing,  being  six  feet  in  height,  and  of  robust  form. 
He  weighed  about  250  pounds.  He  was  an  excellent  singer, 
and  his  manner  in  the  pulpit  was  peculiarly  interesting. 


ROBERT     ST  OCKTON 


Robert  Stockton  was  born  Dec.  12th,  1743,  in  Albe- 
marle county,  of  parents  who  were  connected  with  the  Pres- 
byterian church.     Before   he  reached   manhood,  he   professed 


ROBERT    STOCKTON.  207 

religion,  and  became  himself  a  member  of  this  body.  Having 
been  thrown  into  the  society  of  Baptists,  he  was  led  to  the  ex- 
amination of  believers'  baptism,  and  to  the  belief  that  it  was 
his  duty  to  be  immersed  according  to  the  example  of  Christ. 
He  was  baptized  by  Mr.  Harriss,  1771,  in  Henry  county.  Im- 
mediately after  his  union  with  the  Baptist  church,  he  began  to 
testify  to  the  truth  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to 
save  sinners.  Nor  was  he  content  to  be  called  a  minister  of 
the  gospel,  without  faithfully  performing  the  duties  of  this  of- 
fice. His  labors  were  abundant.  He  is  said  to  have  been  one 
of  the  most  distinguished  ministers  of  his  day  for  activity  and 
faithfulness.  Through  his  influence  many  souls  were  won  to 
the  service  of  Christ.  He  was  among  those  who  were  most 
active  in  the  formation  of  the  Strawberry  Association.  Eleven 
of  the  churches  which  compose  this  body,  were  constituted 
mainly  by  his  instrumentality. 

Elder  Stockton  possessed  excellent  colloquial  talents.  These 
were  well  employed  in  his  journeyings  from  place  to  place. 
Referring  to  this  subject,  Elder  Semple  states,  that  he  "had 
always  an  inclination  to  travel:  and,  perhaps,  no  man  ever 
travelled  to  greater  advantage.  Possessing  invincible  boldness, 
it  was  altogether  unimportant  to  him  what  kind  of  house  he 
went  to,  whether  saint  or  sinner,  friend  or  opposer.  He  never 
failed,  wherever  he  went,  to  enter  largely  into  religious  con- 
versation; and  having  great  command  of  his  temper,  and  much 
presence  of  mind,  he  often  made  religious  impressions  upon 
those  previously  prejudiced.  It  was  an  invariable  rule  with 
him  to  propose,  and  if  permitted,  to  perform  family  worship. 
In  doing  this,  he  would  often  exhort  a  half  hour  or  more.  It 
was  very  entertaining  to  hear  Mr.  Stockton  relate  the  various 
adventures  of  his  life  respecting  things  of  this  sort." 

For  many  years  he  was  chosen  Moderator  of  the  Straw- 
berry  Association,  and  filled  the  office  well.  His  influence 
was  as  merited  as  it  was  extensive.  It  is  true,  that  his  ser- 
mons were  not  remarkable  for  originality.  He  did  not  aston- 
ish by  the  extent  and  variety  of  his  knowledge,  nor  gain  admi- 


208  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

ration  by  the  elegance  of  his  style.  But  he  possessed  a  heart 
full  of  compassion  for  dying  men,  and  an  unquenchable  zeal  in 
seeking  their  salvation. 

In  1800  he  removed  to  Kentucky,  and  settled  in  Barren 
county.  About  this  time  the  Green  river  Association  was 
formed;  Elder  Stockton  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  continued 
to  preside  over  this  body  for  many  years.  He  was  regarded 
by  the  Kentucky  churches  no  less  than  by  the  Baptists  in  his 
native  state.  About  the  beginning  of  the  year  1825,  he  was 
called  by  bis  heavenly  Master  to  give  an  account  of  his  stew- 
ardship. In  the  early  part  of  his  sickness,  he  suffered  much 
from  the  fiery  temptations  of  the  adversary,  but  was  enabled  to 
gain  the  victory,  and  died  in  full  assurance  of  hope.  He  had 
reached  his  81st  year,  having  been  fifty-four  years  a  preacher 
of  righteousness. 


J  0  S  E  PH     REDOING. 


The  parents  of  Joseph  Redding  were  Europeans  by  birth. 
He  was  born  in  Fauquier  county,  1750.  In  very  early  life  he 
was  left  an  orphan,  and  with  six  or  seven  other  children,  was 
placed  under  the  care  of  an  uncle.  In  consequence  of  this  be- 
reavement, they  received  but  little  education,  though  some  re- 
gard was  paid  to  their  morals,  being  brought  up  rigid  church- 
men. When  grown,  a  circumstance  occurred  which  resulted 
in  Joseph's  conversion.  A  Baptist  having  called  to  spend  the 
night,  the  subject  of  religion  was  introduced,  and  a  lengthy 
conversation  ensued.  The  man  of  God  was  encountered  in 
argument  by  Isaac  Redding,  a  brother  of  Joseph,  but  was  en- 
abled not  only  to  maintain  his  ground,  but  to  defeat  his  young 
antagonist.  Isaac  became  deeply  convicted.  This  so  enraged 
his  brother  that  he  threatened  to  chastise  him,  but  Isaac  con- 
tinued his  inquiries  until  Christ  was  made  the  joy  of  his  heart. 


JEREMIAH    MOORE.  209 

A  short  time  after,  when  they  were  together  in  a  large  com- 
pany of  young  men,  at  the  instigation  of  Joseph,  his  brother 
was  caught,  greatly  abused,  and  every  effort  employed  to 
compel  him  to  renounce  his  religion.  But  he  remained  firm, 
while  their  cruel  treatment  was  borne  with  lamb-like  meekness. 
The  mildness  of  his  temper  amid  such  provocations,  led  Joseph 
to  serious  reflection,  and  soon  he  recognized  him  as  a  weeping 
penitent. 

Shortly  after,  Joseph  invited  Elder  William  Marshall  to 
preach  at  his  house,  and  his  convictions  becoming  deeper  and 
deeper,  he  was  almost  overwhelmed  with  the  consciousness  of 
his  guilt.  He  at  length  found  pardon  in  Christ.  At  that  time 
his  views  of  the  sovereignty  of  grace  were  so  clear,  that  a  pe- 
culiar cast  was  given  to  all  his  future  ministrations.  He  was 
baptized  in  1771,  and  immediately  began  to  preach.  Possess- 
ing a  strong  voice  and  much  zeal,  he  attracted  notice  wherever 
he  went.  In  company  with  John  Taylor  he  spread  a  Saviour's 
love  over  a  great  part  of  north-western  Virginia.  Having  spent 
two  years  preaching  in  his  native  state,  he  removed  to  South 
Carolina,  and  there  remained,  laboring  with  much  success  un- 
til 1779,  he  finally  settled  in  Kentucky.  There  he  became  a 
prominent  man,  at  first  connected  with  the  Elkhorn  district, 
but  afterward  a  leader  in  the  Licking  Association.  He  died 
December,  1815. 


JEREMIAH    MO  ORE 


Jeremiah  Moore  was  born  in  Prince  William,  Va.,  June 
7th,  1746.  His  parents,  though  not  wealthy,  were  respectable. 
From  an  early  period  in  life,  serious  impressions  filled  his  mind, 
which  he  supposed  prevented  him  from  running  into  many  of 
the  excesses  of  the  times.  This  excepted,  nothing  of  an  ex- 
traordinary character,   marked  his  progress,  until  he  reached 

•  By  his  son,  Elder  Francis  Moore. 


210  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

his  17th  year,  when  a  considerable  revolution  took  place  in 
the  neighborhood  where  he  was  brought  up,  under  the  preach- 
ing of  the  Rev.  David  Thomas,  who  was  the  first  Baptist  he 
ever  knew.  Until  now  he  never  heard  a  doubt  suggested  with 
regard  to  the  truth  of  the  established  religion.  Curiosity  in- 
duced him  to  go  and  hear  this  New  Lfght,  as  Mr.  Thomas 
was  then  called.  He  returned  home  greatly  astonished  at  the 
gentleman's  manner  of  preaching,  the  doctrines  insisted  on,  to- 
gether with  his  apt  quotations  from  the  scriptures  in  support 
of  the  whole.  This  brought  him  to  confess  it  was  something 
entirely  new,  and  looked  so  much  like  the  New  Testament, 
with  which  he  had  some  acquaintance,  that  it  afforded  him 
much  matter  fur  serious  meditation:  and  although  it  was  se- 
veral years  before  he  was  made  to  understand  the  principles 
of  the  gospel,  he  never  could  obliterate  from  his  mind  the  effect 
of  this  sermon.  As  his  acquaintances  were  generally  Episco- 
palians, he  resolved,  as  much  as  possible,  to  hide  his  views 
from  them;  and  this  he  found  no  difficulty  in  effecting,  as  his 
convictions  went  little  further  than  to  persuade  him  that  Mr. 
Thomas  and  his  Baptist  friends  were  good  people,  and  did  not 
deserve  the  abuse  generally  bestowed  on  them.  The  first  of 
November,  1765,  being  about  19  years  old,  he  was  married  to 
Lydia  llenno,  daughter  of  Mr.  Francis  Renno,  whose  ances- 
tors were  under  the  necessity  of  flying  from  France,  their  na- 
tive land,  on  account  of  their  religion,  and  taking  refuge  in  the 
then  British  dominions.  Settled  in  the  world,  he  was  tempted 
to  fly  to  that  false  refuge,  that  it  was  no  matter  what  religion 
a  man  might  adopt,  provided  he  be  only  sincere  and  moral. 
His  having  fallen  into  this  snare  himself,  he  has  said,  was  the 
reason  why,  in  his  public  preaching,  he  so  earnestly  warned 
others  to  escape  it.  Having  come  to  this  conclusion,  he  be- 
came more  attentive  to  the  established  church,  and  carefully 
avoiding  the  Baptists,  would  never  go  to  hear  them  preach,  nor 
see  any  of  them  if  he  could  help  it.  By  this  time  they  had 
much  increased,  and  had  advanced  near  his  residence.  Seve- 
ral of  his  acquaintances  had  joined  them;  while  every  mention 


JEREMIAH    MOORE.  211 

of  them  brought  up  recollections  that  goaded  him  to  the  heart. 
On  Easter  Monday,  1771,  he  went  from  home  on  business,  and 
on  his  return,  his  servants;informed  him  that  their  mistress  had 
gone  with  his  mother  to  the  Baptist  meeting.  As  it  was  now 
some  time  in  the  afternoon,  he  made  no  doubt  they  would  soon 
return.  But  the  evening  came  on  without  bringing  any  intel- 
ligence. As  several  of  bis  father's  family  were  at  the  place  of 
worship,  he  was  sure  if  any  thing  out  of  the  ordinary  course 
had  taken  place,  they  would  have  informed  him.  At  about  11 
o'clock  at  night,  he  heard  the  company  ride  up,  and  Mrs. 
Moore  call  for  a  servant.  He  went  out,  and  on  inquiring  if  any 
thing  had  happened,  was  informed  they  had  waited  to  hear  a 
man  preach  by  candle-light.  In  conversation  with  Mrs.  Moore 
relative  to  the  preaching,  he  soon  discovered  her  mind  was 
much  affected.  She  observed,  "Until  now,  I  never  knew  any 
thing  about  my  situation  as  a  poor  miserable  sinner,  against 
the  best  of  beings.''  The  conversation  was  like  a  dagger  to 
his  heart,  a  heavy  gloom  oppressed  his  mind,  to  a  degree  he 
had  never  felt  before.  A  few  days  after,  he  went  to  meeting. 
The  service  was  introduced  by  singing  Watts'  30th  hymn,  2d 
book: 

"Come  we  that  love  the  Lord, 

And  let  our  joys  be  known, 
Join  in  a  song:  with  sweet  accord, 

And  thus  surround  the  throne." 

But  the  following  words:  "Let  them  refuse  to  sing,  that  ne- 
ver knew  our  God,"  came  with  power.  He  felt  he  knew  not 
God;  and  deep  distress  filled  his  soul.  For  a  considerable  time 
he  was  left  to  mourn  that  he  could  not  mourn.  He  was  tempted 
to  believe  he  had  committed  the  unpardonable  sin,  that  with 
him  it  was  too  late;  God  would  not  have  mercy  on  him;  and 
though  he  strove  to  pray,  he  was  often  led  to  conclude  the  mer- 
cies he  sought  were  not  for  such  as  he.  At  length  through  the 
goodness  of  God  he  was  enabled  to  feel  the  remission  of  his 
sins  through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  to  the  unspeakable  joy  of 
his  heart.      No  wonder,  then,  that  the  blood  and  righteousness 


212  BioGKAPnr  op 

of  Jesus  Christ,  should  be  the  theme  he  dwelt  on  and  delighted 
in,  for  more  than  40  years.  How  could  he,  who  knew  his  own 
salvation  was  all  of  grace,  preach  a  conditional  gospel  to  others. 
Soon  after  this,  he  became  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  at 
Chappawamsick,  in  Stafford  county,  Virginia.  His  baptism 
made  no  small  stir  among  his  friends,  the  most  of  whom  were 
Episcopalians,  and  some  of  them  enemies  to  the  Baptists. 
Some  pretended  to  pity  his  folly,  while  others  treated  him  with 
contempt;  and  all  agreed  to  give  him  up  for  lost  as  to  any  fu- 
ture usefulness  to  himself  or  family.  By  becoming  a  Baptist, 
he  gave  up  a  small  office  in  the  establishment  worth  2400 
pounds  of  tobacco  yearly,  and  with  it  the  friendship  of  many 
influential  characters.  When  Elder  D.  Thomas  baptized  him, 
he  observed  to  a  friend,  I  think  I  have  this  day  baptized  a 
preacher;  and  so  the  event  proved.  Very  soon  after  this,  a 
lady,  (it  is  believed  to  have  been  the  mother  of  Judge  French, 
of  Kentucky,)  proposed  the  opening  a  meeting  in  the  neighbor- 
hood for  singing  God's  praise,  reading  his  word,  and  prayer, 
to  which  he  consented,  not  imagining  the  work  was  in  any  way 
to  devolve  on  him.  Here,  however,  it  may  be  said,  com- 
menced that  ministerial  work  in  which  he  was  engaged  nearly 
forty-five  years,  through  difficulties  and  trials,  with  a  zeal  and 
ability  that  have  fallen  to  the  lot  of  but  few.  Three  times 
he  was  apprehended  by  the  officers  of  the  crown,  and  con- 
ducted to  the  town  of  Alexandria,  to  be  lodged  in  the  pub- 
lic jail;  and  once  committed  by  one  of  liis  majesty's  justices 
of  the  peace  to  jail,  for  preaching  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ. 
This  mittimus  is  yet  in  the  hands  of  his  family,  and  will,  it 
is  hoped,  be  preserved  as  an  evidence  of  his  faithfulness 
in  his  Master's  cause.  He  was  blessed  with  an  uncommon  de- 
gree of  health,  and  with  seeing  many  churches  planted  as  the 
fruit  of  his  labors.  One  in  the  town  of  Alexandria,  he  men- 
tions with  peculiar  pleasure,  on  account  of  its  being  located  in 
the  place  where  lie  was  thrice  called  to  answer  at  the  bar  of  his 
country  for  preaching  the  gospel  of  a  precious  Christ,  and 
where  he  received  the  sentence  of  the  judge  to  lie  in  jail  dur- 


JEREMIAH    MOORE.  213 

ing  life.  From  all  these  afflictions  he  was  wonderfully,  and 
in  an  unexpected  way,  delivered,  not  without  hope  of  meeting 
in  a  happy  eternity  many  of  these  his  enemies  and  their  pos- 
terity. No  doubt  is  entertained  but  that  the  church  of  Alex- 
andria, at  this  time,  is  in  part  composed  of  the  families  that 
have  descended  from  his  most  bitter  persecutors!  The  ways  of 
God,  O  how  unsearchable!  About  two  years  before  his  death, 
his  friends  saw,  with  unspeakable  regret,  that  his  accustomed 
health  was  fast  declining.  He,  nevertheless,  continued  to  travel 
and  preach,  through  a  district  of  country  from  50  to  60  miles 
in  diameter.  His  last  attempt  to  speak  for  his  divine  Master  was 
in  the  village  of  Centreville.  In  the  winter  of  1814,  it  is 
thought  by  those  who  are  qualified  to  judge,  that  his  journeying 
to  preach  the  gospel  from  place  to  place,  would,  if  directed  to 
that  end,  have  carried  him  twice  round  the  globe.  His  preach- 
ing was  principally  confined  to  Maryland  and  Virginia;  yet  he 
visited  North  and  South  Carolina,  Tennessee,  Kentucky,  Penn- 
sylvania, Delaware,  the  Jerseys  and  New-York.  A  few  days 
before  his  death,  he  observed  to  his  son,  "I  have  finished  my 
course:  the  doctrines  that  I  have  tried  to  preach  are  the  stay 
and  comfort  of  my  heart:  I  know  in  whom  I  have  trusted. 
There  is  one  thing,  and  only  one,  that  gives  me  the  least  un- 
easiness, and  that  is,  that  1  have  not  travelled  more,  preached 
more,  and  written  more,  and  in  all  things  been  more  industrious 
in  the  best  of  causes."  His  last  moments  appeared  to  be  em- 
ployed as  was  his  life,  in  a  desire  to  spread  abroad  the  savor 
of  His  name  whose  blood  and  righteousness  were  all  his  hope. 
On  February  24,  1815,  he  left  this  for  a  better  world  on  high, 
leaving  a  widow,  five  sons,  and  four  daughters,  to  lament  a  loss 
to  them  irreparable. 


19 


214  BIOGRAPHY    OF 


AMBROSE     DUDLEY. 


A  native  of  Spotsylvania,  and  was  born  in  1750.  During 
the  early  part  of  the  revolution,  he  was  commissioned  to  the 
office  of  captain  in  the  army,  and  while  absent  from  home,  his 
heart  was  pierced  by  the  arrows  of  truth.  He  saw  that  he  had 
all  his  days  been  waging  war  against  his  Almighty  Sovereign, 
and  in  deep  humiliation  he  cast  himself  before  the  throne,  plead- 
ing for  mercy.  He  was  heard;  his  iniquities  were  forgiven; 
he  became  a  loyal  subject,  and  avowed  his  subjection  by  being 
baptized,  according  to  the  direction  of  his  king.  This  occur- 
red while  he  was  stationed  at  Williamsburg. 

It  is  remarkable  that,  about  this  time,  the  church  in  his  na- 
tive county,  were,  with  great  union  and  earnestness,  imploring 
God  to  send  them  a  preacher,  they  being  at  that  time  destitute. 
To  their  astonishment,  Mr.  Dudley,  with  whom  they  had  been 
acquainted  from  infancy,  and  who  had  left  home  an  opposing 
transgressor,  returned  a  changed  man,  sought  communion  with 
them,  and  expressed  desire  to  devote  himself  to  the  ministry. 
They  considered  him  as  the  gift  of  God  in  answer  to  prayer. 
He  began  to  preach.  His  first  efforts  gave  great  promise  of 
usefulness  to  the  cause  of  Christ.  His  manner  was  zealous, 
yet  dignified,  and,  under  the  persecutions  which  characterized 
those  times,  he  exhibited  the  most  fearless  intrepidity;  soon 
the  church  became  satisfied  of  his  call  to  the  ministry.  He 
was  ordained,  and  continued  in  that  region  many  years.  In 
1785,  he  removed  to  Kentucky,  and,  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
was  one  of  the  most  faithful  and  laborious  ministers  of  the 
western  country. 

Having  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Lexington,  he,  with  two  or 
three  other  ministers,  built  up  several  churches  of  the  Elk- 
horn  Association.  Although  he  did  not  travel  extensively,  yet 
within  the  limits  of  Elkhorn  district,  he  was  kidefatigable  in 
his  exertions,  exercising  a  kind  of  watch  care  over  that  large 
body.    He  is  said  to  have  been  an  excellent  disciplinarian,  and, 


AMBROSE    DUDLEY.  215 

for  many  years  in  succession,  was  elected  to  preside  at  the  an- 
nual meetings  of  the  association.  In  1792  his  time  was  em- 
ployed in  visiting  the  churches,  in  the  character  of  an  evangel- 
ist, for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  their  condition  and  promot- 
ing their  spiritual  improvement.  In  this  capacity  he  was  use- 
ful; among  other  things  which  he  urged  upon  the  churches, 
was  the  much  neglected  duty  of  making  suitahle  provision  for 
the  support  of  their  pastors.  On  this  subject  he  avoided  that 
false  delicacy  indulged  by  many  ministers,  and  hesitated  not 
to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God.  In  the  explanation  and 
defence  of  doctrinal  truth,  he  was  intelligent,  affectionate,  and 
decided.     His  influence  was  extensive. 

"His  manners  and  general  habits  (says  Mr.  James  E.  Welsh) 
seemed  to  indicate  that  'he  was  born'  for  discipline.  The  very 
glance  ofhis  piercing  eye  was  often  sufficient  to  awe  into  silence. 
In  his  personal  appearance  he  was  unusually  erect  and  neat,  so 
that  once,  when  a  stranger  asked  in  Lexington,  Ky.  where  he 
could  be  found,  he  was  told  to  'walk  down  the  street,  and  the 
first  man  he  met,  having  on  a  superfine  black  coat,  without  a 
single  mote  upon  it,  would  be  Ambrose  Dudley.'  And  but  kw 
men  have  ever  lived  and  died  in  the  ministry,  who  'kept  their 
garments  more  unspotted  from  the  world.'  He  was  highly 
Calvinistic  in  his  sentiments,  and  of  unbending  firmness  where 
he  thought  truth  and  duty  were  involved.  Whenever  it  was 
known  that  he  had  made  an  appointment  to  preach,  the  uni- 
versal declaration  was,  'whether  it  rain  or  shine,  brother  Dud- 
ley will  be  there.'  He  never  disappointed  any  engagement 
he  made,  unless  sickness,  or  some  equally  unavoidable  provi- 
dence, prevented.  In  family  discipline  he  was  very  decided. 
He  never  spoke  but  once.  In  political  or  worldly  matters,  he 
took  but  little  interest,  except  within  the  limits  of  his  own  plan- 
tation. He  was  a  man  of  God,  whose  praise  is  in  all  the 
churches,  throughout  the  region  where  he  labored.  He  'died 
at  the  horns  of  the  altar.''' 

In  1818,  an  unhappy  difficulty  existed  in  the  Elkhorn  Asso- 
ciation, which  resulted  in  a  division.  How  far  he  was  to  blame 


216  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

is  not  for  the  biographer  to  determine.  The  Licking  Associ- 
ation was  formed,  and  he  became  a  prominent  member.  -He 
continued  to  labor  efficiently  until  his  death  in  1823. 


JOHN    S  H ACKLEFO  RD, 

This  eminently  useful  servant  of  Christ  was  born  in  Caro. 
line  county,  1750.  When  about  22  years  of  age,  he  became 
a  subject  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  and  a  preacher  of  the 
gospel.  He  was  not  ordained  until  1778,  when  he  undertook 
the  pastoral  care  of  Tuckahoe  church,  Caroline  county.  In 
this  position  he  remained  until  he  removed  to  the  western 
country.  His  labors  in  the  lower  part  of  Virginia,  were  ardu- 
ous. Beside  frequent  journeys  in  the  surrounding  counties,  he 
was  compelled  to  toil  with  his  own  hands  to  minister  to  the 
necessities  of  those  who  were  with  him.  In  1788,  especial 
times  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  were  en- 
joyed in  Tuckahoe  church,  when  he  baptized  more  than  three 
hundred  persons. 

The  following  is  from  the  pen  of  Elder  Andrew  Broaddus: 
"It  was  said,  (and  I  think  upon  good  authority,)  that  at  the  time 
of  his  marriage,  his  stock  of  learning  amounted  to  little  more 
than  a  knowledge  of  reading.  Considering  this  fact,  his  pro- 
ficiency in  the  science  of  preaching  was  really  wonderful. 
About  the  commencement  of  my  religious  profession  I  heard 
him  often.  He  discussed  a  subject  with  a  considerable  de- 
gree of  method  and  ingenuity;  was  sometimes  a  little  fanciful, 
being  rather  fond  of  allegorical  preaching;  but  evangelical 
truth,  and  practical  godliness,  were  enforced  with  warmth  and 
effect,  and   he  was  a  popular  and  a  very  successful   preacher." 

In  consequence  of  pecuniary  difficulties,  he  was  compelled, 
in  1792,  to  migrate  to  Kentucky.  Alas,  how  many  valuable 
men  has  Virginia  lost  by  the  neglect  of  her  churches.  Though 
it  is  the  duty  of  a  minister  to  preach,  whether  his   brethren 


JOUN    TAYLOR.  217 

supply  his  necessities  or  not,  yet  his  influence  and  usefulness 
will  be  very  much  circumscribed,  when  they  fail  to  discharge 
their  obligations  to  him.  It  is  unquestionably  his  duty  to 
make  provision  for  the  support  of  his  family.  To  do  this, 
Elder  Shackleford  sought  a  home  in  another  state. 

After  his  removal,  he  received  from  several  churches  an  in- 
vitation to  settle  among  them  as  their  pastor.  At  length  he 
accepted  the  call  of  South  Elkhorn  church,  with  which  the 
venerable  Lewis  Craig  had  been  connected.  Here  his  minis- 
trations were  eminently  successful;  the  church  became  so 
large  that  one  hundred  members  were  dismissed  to  form 
another  body  in  the  same  vicinity.  The  new  church  was  called 
Mount  Pleasant,  and  soon  was  enlarged  to  three  hundred  and 
fifty  members.  As  when  he  lived  in  Virginia,  most  remarkable 
revivals  of  religion  were  enjoyed  under  his  ministry. 

But  this  devoted  man  was  not  allowed  to  enjoy  uninterrupted 
tranquillity  in  his  work  of  love.  The  tenets  taught  by  Mr.  A. 
Campbell  were  introduced  into  his  churches,  and,  to  some  ex- 
tent, were  successful  in  producing  a  division.  Much  disputa- 
tion and  unholy  feeling  were  engendered  among  Christians, 
while  the  cause  of  Christ  was  exposed  to  the  sneers  of  sinners. 
His  pious  soul  was  vexed,  day  by  day,  as  he  beheld  some  of 
the  most  fundamental  truths  of  the  word  of  God  assailed  and 
ridiculed  by  these  schismatics.  Especially  did  it  grieve  him  to 
see  some  of  those,  whom  he  had  begotton  in  the  gospel,  so  soon 
turning  away  to  these  heresies.  He  found,  however,  that  his 
own  heart  was  sustained  amid  these  trials  by  the  sacred  doc- 
trines which,  from  his  earliest  allegiance  to  Christ,  had  been 
his  consolation.   He  died,  1829,  having  reached  his  79th  year. 


JOHN    TAYLOR 


Bokn  in  Fauquier  county,  1752.     When  he  had  reached 
his  seventeenth  year,  having  heard  Elder   William   Marshall 


19' 


218  BIOGRAPHY   OF 

preach,  he  became  impressed  with  the  worth  of  eternal  things, 
and  began  to  ask,  "what  shall  I  do  to  be  saved."  His  distress 
was  pungent  and  protracted.  Considerable  alarm  was  created 
among  his  friends  in  discovering  his  deep  settled  gloom,  lest  he 
should  be  verging  towards  insanity.  They  were,  however, 
little  aware  of  the  true  cause  of  his  grief,  and  consequently 
were  unable  to  prescribe  a  remedy.  His  relief  came  from  the 
word  of  God.  There  he  learned  that  God  was  in  Christ,  re- 
conciling the  world  unto  himself,  not  imputing  to  them  their 
iniquities.  Upon  this  truth  he  built  his  hope,  and  here  he  found 
consolation.  Hearing  that  the  church  of  which  James  Ireland 
was  pastor,  would  meet  to  receive  members,  he  went  with  the 
determination  of  uniting  himself  with  the  people  of  God.  He 
found  the  house  crowded  to  overflowing,  and  was  unable  to  ob- 
tain entrance,  but  stood  at  the  window  and  listened  to  the  re- 
lation which  a  number  gave  of  the  divine  goodness  to  them. 
While  there,  he  was  the  subject  of  violent  temptation.  The 
suggestion  came  with  great  power,  that  all  his  religious  im- 
pressions were  a  delusion,  and  that  all  with  whom  he  was  pre- 
sent, were  deceived.  He  was  inclined  to  give  way  to  universal 
scepticism.  Returning  from  meeting  in  this  state  of  mind,  he 
knew  not  what  to  do,  or  whither  to  flee.  In  the  pleasures  of 
sin,  he  could  find  no  enjoyment,  and  yet  concerning  the  truths 
of  revelation,  his  mind  was  enveloped  in  darkness  and  doubt. 
He  retired  to  a  deep  and  lonely  glen,  far  away  from  human 
habitation,  and,  as  the  shades  of  night  came  on,  he  found  him- 
self surrounded  with  so  many  testimonials  of  the  divine  exist- 
ence and  glory,  in  the  spangled  firmament  above  him,  and  in 
all  the  works  of  his  hand,  that  the  righteousness  and  justice 
of  his  law  became  more  evident  than  ever.  Again  he  felt  the 
heaviness  of  that  guilt  which  he  had  contracted,  and  his  need 
of  the  gospel  remedy.  The  adaptedness  of  this  plan  to  his 
ruined  condition  rushed  upon  his  mind.  The  words  of  Christ 
to  Thomas  "reach  hither  thy  finger,''  &c,  were  made  the  sub- 
ject of  profitable  and  consoling  reflections.  With  Thomas  he 
was  enabled  to  say,  "my  Lord  and  my  God.''     He  returned 


JOHN   TAYLOR.  219 

from  his  hiding  place,  willing  to  tell  what  the  Lord  had  done 
for  his  soul,  and  shortly  after  was  baptized.  He  joined  the 
Happy  creek  church. 

After  some  exercise  of  his  talents  in  addressing  his  fellow 
men,  he  was  deemed,  by  his  brethren,  qualified  to  labor  in  word 
and  doctrine,  and  was  accordingly  licensed.  About  this  time 
Joseph  Redding  began  his  ministerial  career.  These  two  ser- 
vants of  Christ,  with  apostolic  zeal  and  courage,  carried  the 
sound  of  salvation  into  regions  it  had  never  reached.  They 
were  two  of  the  most  daring  spirits  of  that  age.  Very  fre- 
quently their  journeys  were  extended  beyond  the  Blue-ridge 
more  than  200  miles.  This  was  then  a  thinly  settled  country. 
In  these  western  excursions  they  were  received  with  open 
arms.  They  were  not  like  their  eastern  brethren  subject  to 
the  opposing  rage  of  the  established  church.  But  they  were 
not  without  trials.  Most  of  their  journeys  were  performed  on 
foot,  over  a  rugged  and  almost  unbroken  wilderness;  and  they 
were  continually  in  danger  of  falling  a  prey  to  the  savage  bar- 
barities of  the  Indians,  as  they  passed  on  from  fort  to  fort. 
The  good  hand  of  the  Lord  alone  preserved  them.  In  hun- 
ger and  thirst,  in  watchfulness  and  weariness,  did  Mr.  Taylor 
go  forth  to  preach  the  gospel.     He  could  say, 

"In  these  mountains  let  me  labor, 

In  these  forests  let  me  tell, 
How  he  died,  the  blessed  Saviour, 

To  redeem  a  world  from  hell." 

The  ministry  of  this  itinerant  was  greatly  blessed;  several 
churches  were  founded,  mainly  under  his  influence.  In  1783, 
he  found  it,  as  he  believed  his  duty,  to  seek  a  support  in  the 
fertile  fields  of  the  west,  as,  notwithstanding  his  toils  in  Vir- 
ginia, the  churches  contributed  but  little  to  provide  for  his  ne- 
cessities. One  year  previous  to  this  he  was  chosen  pastor  of 
the  church  he  first  joined.  When  he  removed,  he  settled  in 
what  is  now  called  Woodford  county,  then  comparatively  a  wil- 
derness. He  was  well  qualified  to  labor  as  a  pioneer,  having 
learned  by  his  previous  hazards  in  Virginia,  to  endure  hard- 


220  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

ness  as  a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ.  "Often  single  handed," 
says  a  brother  who  knew  him  well,  "did  he  occupy  this  wide 
spread  region.  He  itinerated  for  ten  years  with  much  credit 
to  himself,  and  profit  to  the  cause.  He  had  a  fine  constitution 
and  much  bodily  strength;  was  as  bold  as  a  lion,  yet  meek  as  a 
lamb.  In  preaching  he  attempted  nothing  but  scriptural  plain- 
ness. The  weapons  of  his  warfare  were  wielded  with  much 
power.  No  man  knew  better  than  he,  how  to  reprove,  rebuke, 
and  exhort,  with  all  long-suffering  and  doctrine.'  When  he 
used  the  rod  of  correction,  all  were  made  to  tremble.  The 
Lord  wrought  glorious  things  by  him.  The  Elkhorn  Asso- 
ciation soon  increased  to  the  number  of  thirty-four  churches. 
This  was  the  best  organized  body  of  Baptists  in  all  the  western 
country.  In  1800,  more  than  three  thousand  souls  were  added 
to  them. 

"John  Taylor  was  one  of  the  most  efficient  preachers;  his 
judicious  zeal,  strong  faith,  and  remarkable  industry,  qualified 
him  to  be  useful  to  many  souls.  He  was  always  cheerful,  yet 
solemn,  and  willing  to  preach  when  requested.  His  whole  de- 
meanor, at  home  and  abroad,  was  uniformly  Christian-like. 
The  labors  of  his  ministry  extended  from  Kentucky  river,  to 
the  Ohio.  It  was  his  custom  to  visit  six  or  eight  associations 
every  year.  His  great  skill  in  discipline  and  faithfulness  in 
preaching,  endeared  him  to  all  the  followers  of  Christ." 

This  testimony  is  borne  by  one  of  his  surviving  coadjutors 
in  Kentucky.  Nor  is  it  to  be  considered  as  the  extravagant 
eulogy  of  a  particular  friend.  From  other  sources,  this  state- 
ment is  ascertained  to  be  true;  says  the  same  brother,  "he  was, 
however,  only  a  man,  for,  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  he  op- 
posed missionary  operations."  There  is  reason  to  believe  that 
this  opposition  was  the  result  of  ignorance.  He  had  failed  to 
make  himself  acquainted  with  the  design,  plans,  and  success 
of  the  mission  enterprize.  His  ignorance  was  indeed  culpable, 
for  it  was  his  duty  to  examine  well  the  claims  of  these  mea- 
sures. Had  he,  with  unprejudiced  mind,  contemplated  the 
condition  of  the  heathen  world,  in  connection  with  the  mandate 


WILLIAM    HICKMAN  221 

of  the  ascended  Saviour:  had  he  known  what  almost  incredi- 
ble success  has  attended  the  efforts  of  God's  people  in  foreign 
lands,  his  pious  heart  would  doubtless  have  rejoiced  with  unut- 
terable joy,  and   his  whole  influence   been  given  to  the  cause. 

That  this  is  true,  will  be  evident  from  the  allusion  to  this 
subject  by  another  brother.  "I  mentioned  to  him  (says  he)  in 
1830,  that  1  wished  some  conversation  concerning  the  pam- 
phlet he  had  written  against  missions;  when  the  aged  saint  re- 
plied, 'O  never  mind  that  thing;  let  it  sleep  in  silence;' ''  so  that 
there  is  reason  for  believing,  he  regretted  he  had  ever  written 
so  unadvisedly  against  the  mission  cause. 

He  removed  several  times,  but  at  length  settled  near  Frank- 
fort, where  he  spent  the  remnant  of  his  days.  There  he  ended 
a  long,  useful,  and  happy  life.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  he 
was  in  quite  a  joyful  state  of  mind.  It  was  his  desire  to  de- 
part and  be  with  Christ.  His  removal  took  place  in  1833, 
having  reached  his  81st  year. 


WILLIAM     HICKMAN, 


This  venerable  and  truly  useful  servant  of  Christ,  was  born 
about  the  year  1746,  in  one  of  the  counties  south  of  James  river, 
Va.  He  professed  religion  during  those  seasons  of  ecclesiastical 
violence,  when  devoted  and  useful  ministers  of  the  gospel,  were 
seized  and  immured  within  the  walls  of  prisons,  and  by  vari- 
ous other  methods,  most  cruelly  persecuted.  The  whole  of 
eastern  Virginia  at  that  period,  presented  a  spectacle  of  al- 
most universal  suffering  among  the  despised  Baptists.  But 
the  word  of  God  grew  and  multiplied.  In  the  county  of  Ches- 
terfield while  several  ministers  were  preaching  from  the  win- 
dows of  the  jail,  scores  were  converted  to  God,  among  whom 
were  many  who  afterward  stood  up  as  public  witnesses  of  the 
truth;  of  this  number  was  William  Hickman,  the  subject  of 
this  memoir. 


222  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

After  making  a  public  profession  of  religion,  he  visited  the 
state  of  Kentucky,  and  while  there  in  1776,  according  to 
Elder  John  Taylor's  history,  he  began  to  preach.  Return- 
ing  to  Virginia,  he  was  greeted  by  bis  brethren  with  holy  joy 
as  a  herald  of  the  gospel.  Multitudes  nocked  to  hear  the 
word  at  his  lips,  and  his  message  was  attended  with  saving 
influence.  In  the  southern  part  of  Chesterfield  county  espe- 
cially, was  his  ministry  successful;  for  here,  in  1778,  he  was 
instrumental  in  the  formation  of  Skinquarter  church.  He 
became  their  pastor  and  sustained  this  relation  until  his  re- 
moval to  Kentucky.  In  1781  the  church  called  Tomahawk 
also  secured  his  services,  and  enjoyed  the  benefit  of  his  labors 
for  three  years. 

In  1784,  he  became  a  prominent  resident  of  the  state  of 
Kentucky.  Here  he  encountered  peculiar  trials.  The  whole 
of  that  country  was  but  sparsely  populated,  while  tribes  of 
wandering  savages  were  continually  making  depredations  on 
the  property  and  lives  of  the  settlers.  But  he  did  not  allow 
himself  to  remain  within  the  narrow  compass  of  the  neigh- 
peril  of  his  life,  he  visited  the  frontier  settlements,  carrying  the 
borhood  in  which  he  lived.  For  a  number  of  years  at  the 
tidings  of  redemption  through  the  son  of  God.  The  church 
known  by  the  name  of  the  "Forks  of  Elkhorn''  selected  him 
at  that  early  period  for  their  under  shepherd,  and  this  position 
he  occupied  for  many  years.  In  this  church  alone  he  baptized 
more  than  five  hundred  persons.  Beside  the  labor  given  to 
this  church,  he  statedly  served  other  churches  in  various 
directions.  Elder  John  Taylor  states,  that  perhaps  no  man  in 
Kentucky  has  baptized  more  converts  than  William  Hickman. 

He  lived  to  see  a  very  old  age.  Nothing  respecting  his 
labors  in  advanced  life,  or  the  circumstances  of  his  death,  has 
been  ascertained  by  the  author.  In  1822  it  was  remarked  by 
one  of  his  most  intimate  fellow  labors,  "though  now  about  76 
years  of  age,  he  walks  and  stands  erect  as  a  palm  tree,  being  at 
least  six  feet  high,  and  of  rather  slender  form.  His  whole 
deportment  is  solemn  and  grave,  and   is  much   like  Caleb   the 


GEORGE    EVE.  223 

servant  of  the  Lord,  who  at  fourscore  years  of  age  was  as 
capable  to  render  service  in  the  war,  as  when  young.  This 
veteran  can  yet  perform  a  good  part  in  the  gospel  vineyard. 
His  style  of  preaching  is  plain  and  solemn,  and  the  sound  of 
it  like  thunder  in  the  distance,  but  when  he  becomes  animated, 
it  is  like  thunder  at  home,  and  operates  with  prodigious  force 
on  the  consciences  of  his  hearers.  His  mode  of  speaking  is 
so  slow  that  his  hearers  are  sometimes  in  advance  of  him  in 
the  subject  he  is  discussing.'' 

He  was  twice  married,  and  had  the  happiness  of  rearing  a 
number  of  children,  most  of  whom  became  the  disciples  of 
the  Redeemer.  One  of  his  sons  entered  the  ministry  and  has 
been  eminently  useful. 


GEORGE     EVE 


George  Eve  was  a  native  of  Culpepper.  He  was  born  in 
1748.  During  his  earlier  years,  he  seldom  if  ever  heard  the 
gospel  proclaimed  in  its  purity,  until  Elder  David  Thomas 
and  others  visited  the  neighborhood  in  which  he  resided,  and 
made  known  the  tidings  of  salvation.  In  1772  he  professed 
religion  and  joined  the  Baptist  church.  He  soon  began  to  ex- 
hort  and  afterward  to  preach.  In  1778  he  was  ordained  and 
became  the  pastor  of  F  T  church,  and  when  Elder  Craig 
removed  to  Kentucky,  of  Blue  run,  in  Orange  county.  For 
the  space  of  twelve  years  he  continued  to  preach  with  aston- 
ishing success  in  Virginia,  and  large  numbers  acknowledged 
him  as  the  instrument  of  their  translation  from  the  kingdom  of 
Satan  into  the  kingdom  of  God's  dear  Son.  But  in  1790, 
he  emigrated  to  the  state  of  Kentucky  and  settled  near 
Georgetown.  With  his  wonted  zeal  he  engaged  in  minis- 
terial duties,  receiving  the  kindest  attentions  from  those  among 
whom  he  had  determined  to  reside.  No  special  influence  in 
the  conversion  of  sinners  seemed    at  first  to   follow  his  minis- 


224  BIOGRAFHY    OF 

trations,  but  about  the  year  1800,  a  most  extensive  revival  of 
religion  was  enjoyed,  to  some  extent  the  result  of  his  exer- 
tions. This  was  said  by  one  of  his  friends  to  have  been  the 
most  remarkable  period  of  his  life.  His  success  in  winning 
men  to  love  the  Saviour,  exceeded  that  of  his  whole  previous 
ministerial  career.  Nearly  the  whole  of  his  time  was  devoted 
to  the  labor  of  preaching  and  exhortation. 

As  he  had  reached  an  exalted  eminence  in  popular  favor, 
it  might  have  been  expected  that  some  effect  unfavorable  to 
his  Christian  temper  would  have  been  produced.  But  it  was 
far  otherwise.  He  was  the  same  humble,  unassuming,  spir- 
itually minded  man  he  had  always  been,  and  indeed  only 
seemed  to  shine  the  more  in  those  respects  the  more  he  re- 
ceived the  caresses  of  his  brethren  and  friends. 

In  describing  his  person,  a  brother  represents  him  as  hav- 
ing been  six  feet  high,  of  genteel  figure,  and  handsome  appear- 
ance, his  eyes  were  blue  and  his  hair  inclined  to  be  light.  In 
his  general  mien  there  was  something  peculiarly  attractive, 
which  united  with  his  naturally  amiable  disposition,  and  his 
Christianly  deportment,  contributed  so  extensively  to  render  him 
the  subject  of  popular  regard. 

Thus  Elder  Eve  continued  to  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God, 
his  Saviour,  until  a  very  short  period  before  his  death,  when, 
painful  to  relate,  he  allowed  himself  to  be  overcome  by  the  in- 
toxicating draught.  Confession  before  his  brethren,  in  the 
most  humiliating  terms,  was  made,  and  he  was  forgiven,  but 
again  he  was  overtaken.  It  being  then  the  uniform  custom  to 
present  the  beverage  of  ardent  spirits  as  a  token  of  kind  feel- 
ing, and  moving  as  he  did  among  the  most  refined  circles,  the 
temptation  to  indulge  too  freely  was  strong,  and  in  his  case 
prevalent.     Hut  this  was  no  apology  for  his  offence. 

What  a  melancholy  lesson  does  this  teach  his  successors  in 
the  ministry.  None  are  so  lovely  in  character,  so  respected 
by  the  world,  or  so  deeply  rooted  in  the  affections  of  the  pious, 
as  to  be  exempt  from  the  temptation  common  to  man.  And 
the  Christian  minister  will  never  reach  a  point  on  this  side  the 


JOHN    KING.  225 

grave,  when  he  will  not  need  to  watch  and  pray,  that  he  enter 
not  into  temptation.  This  admonition  of  the  Saviour  ought 
every  day  to  be  heeded,  especially  by  him,  for  if  he  fall  into 
sin,  he  sins  not  alone;  others  to  a  woful  extent  are  liable  to  be 
involved  in  unbelief,  sin,  and  ruin. 


JOHN      KING 


John  King  was  a  native  of  Brunswick  county.  The  circum- 
stances of  his  parents  were  extremely  dependent,  and  his  oppor- 
tunities of  improvement  were,  in  consequence,  scanty.  His 
attention  to  religious  subjects  was  arrested  in  early  youth. 
About  1773,  Elder  Samuel  Harriss  with  others,  brought  the 
glad  tidings  of  salvation  into  the  neighborhood  where  he  lived, 
and  many  believed  to  the  saving  of  the  soul.  A  considerable 
excitement  was  the  result.  Crowds  attended  (he  ministrations 
of  God's  servants,  some  curious  to  see  these  New  Lights,  and 
others  with  sincere  desire  to  hear  and  know  the  truth.  The 
ordinance  of  immersion  also,  having  been  rarely  witnessed,  ex- 
cited much  interest.  A  baptismal  scene  was  the  means  of 
arresting  Mr.  King's  attention  to  spiritual  things.  He  attended 
at  Harper's  mill  on  one  of  these  occasions,  more  for  the  purpose 
of  amusing  himself  than  to  receive  benefit;  and,  that  he  might 
enjoy  his  sport  unobserved,  he  concealed  himself  beneath  the 
mill-wheel.  But  the  Lord's  eye  was  upon  him,  and  his  laughter 
was  turned  into  mourning.  He  came  from  his  hiding  place 
with  the  arrows  of  the  Almighty  sticking  fast  in  him,  and  with 
anguish  unutterable,  he  hastened  homewards.  The  night  was 
passed  without  rest,  and  he  arose  to  behold  the  sun,  but  no  hope 
beamed  upon  his  benighted  soul.  In  this  state  of  mind  he  con- 
tinued for  many  days.  All  society  was  cautiously  avoided. 
He  would  wander  for  whole  hours  in  the  wilderness,  brooding 
over  his  wretched  condition,  and  for  some  time  no  person  knew 
or  suspected  the  cause  of  his  gloom.  It  began  to  be  supposed, 
20 


226  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

that  he  was  suffering  a  temporary  derangement  of  mind,  and 
was  called  by  many,  the  distracted  boy.  After  concealing  his 
grief  until  he  found  himself  more  and  more  miserable,  he  de- 
termined to  divulge  his  feelings  to  a  Baptist  minister,  then  in 
the  vicinity  of  his  father's  residence.  The  man  of  God  directed 
him  to  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  He  went  away  as- 
tonished and  offended  at  the  advice  he  had  received.  That  his 
sin  was  great,  he  was  willing  to  acknowledge,  but  he  could  not 
perceive  how  a  holy  God  might  accept  and  save  him,  until  he 
should  become  a  holy  man.  For  this  he  was  groaning  and 
striving,  and  his  heart  cherished  the  hope,  that  some  method  of 
making  himself  better  would  be  recommended  by  his  spiritual 
adviser.  In  all  his  inquiries,  he  was  still  informed  that  Christ 
died  for  sinners,  and  that  he  must  be  saved,  if  saved  at  all,  by 
the  mere  mercy  of  God,  through  Jesus  Christ.  At  length  his 
proud  heart  yielded.  He  saw  that  God  could  be  just  and  yet 
justify  the  ungodly,  through  Christ.  This  humiliating  truth 
became  the  joy  of  his  heart.  Now  the  plan  of  salvation  was 
beheld  in  all  its  simplicity,  freeness,  and  fullness.  He  returned 
to  see  the  minister  with  a  new  song  in  his  mouth,  being  willing 
not  only  to  rejoice  in,  but  to  acknowledge  the  Saviour.  He 
was  shortly  after  baptized. 

It  has  been  hinted,  that  he  was  at  this  time  quite  young.  He 
soon  cherished  a  desire  to  preach  the  gospel.  For  a  long  period, 
even  after  he  began  to  exercise  his  talents  in  public  addresses, 
he  was  oppressed  with  a  fear  that  he  was  not  called  of  God  to 
this  work.  While  anxious  to  do  good  to  his  fellow  men,  he  was 
ready  to  exclaim,  "who  is  sufficient  for  these  things?"  In  this 
early  stage  of  his  Christian  career,  the  Lord  laid  upon  him  his 
chastening  hand.  Some  injury  was  sustained  in  one  of  his  legs, 
which  threatened  the  loss  of  life,  and  it  became  necessary  to 
suffer  amputation.  During  this  confinement,  he  was  brought  to 
the  conviction  that  it  was  his  duty  to  preach.  He  afterwards 
believed  that  the  affliction  was  designed  by  his  heavenly  Father 
to  settle  this  question.  The  matter  was  indeed  determined  to 
his  own  satisfaction,  and  he  was  willing  to  count  all  things  loss, 


JOHN    KING.  227 

for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  his  Lord. 
As  soon  as  the  maimed  limb  was  sufficiently  healed,  he  began, 
in  all  the  surrounding  country,  to  declare  the  unsearchable 
riches  of  the  grace  of  God.  Large  numbers  attended  to  hear 
the  youth  with  a  wooden  leg  preach,  and  many  who  went  from 
mere  curiosity,  returned  to  pray.  Thus  the  trial  through 
which  he  was  brought,  redounded  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  to 
the  interests  of  immortal  souls. 

After  Mr.  King's  devotion  to  the  ministry,  he  applied  himself 
diligently  to  the  cultivation  of  his  mind.  His  progress  in 
knowledge  was  rapid.  It  is  said,  that  having  married  a  woman 
of  education,  he  received  much  valuable  information  under  her 
tuition.  She  appropriated  much  of  her  time  in  affording  such 
assistance  as  he  needed.  A  great  improvement  in  his  manner 
of  preaching  was  perceptible,  and  his  influence  was  extended 
beyond  his  native  county.  He  was  for  a  short  time  pastor  of 
Malone's  church  in  Mecklenburg,  and  in  that  vicinity  was 
quite  useful. 

A  few  years  after  his  entrance  into  the  ministry,  he  remov- 
ed to  Henry  county,  where  he  spent  the  remnant  of  his  life. 
Within  the  limits  of  the  Strawberry  Association,  he  exercised 
a  commanding  influence,  and  was  much  beloved  by  all  his 
brethren.  He  officiated  as  pastor  of  L'jatherwood  and  Beaver 
creek  churches  for  many  years.  Until  1821,  he  continued  to 
work  for  God,  when  he  was  released  from  the  sorrows  of  earth, 
and  admitted  to  the  joys  of  heaven.  At  the  time  of  his  death 
he  was  about  64  years  of  age.  The  Strawberry  Association 
at  its  meeting  in  May,  1821,  thus  notices  this  event:  "The 
association  is  called  with  regret  to  announce,  that  our  aged 
brother,  John  King,  has,  since  our  last  meeting,  been  removed 
to  the  world  of  spirits.  He  was  long  a  zealous  and  successful 
advocate  of  evangelical  truth  in  this  district.'' 

Elder  King  was  a  man  of  strong  mind.  Asa  preacher  he 
was  inclined  to  be  doctrinal.  He  knew  how  to  bring  from 
the  treasury  of  the  word,  things  new  and  old.  In  Semple's 
History  of  the  Baptists,  published  in  1809,  a  reference  is  made 


228  BIOGRAPHY     OF 

to  his  character  as  a  minister  in  the  following  language:  "Few 
men  open  their  mouths,  in  the  pulpit,  more  to  the  purpose  than 
Mr.  King;  his  language  is  strong  and  nervous;  his  ideas  clear 
and  perspicuous;  his  manner,  warm  and  animating,  and  his 
countenance  grave  and  solemn.  Though  modest  and  unassum- 
ing out  of  the  pulpit,  when  he  ascends  the  sacred  stand,  he 
speaks  as  one  having  authority;  he  lifts  up  his  voice  and  com- 
mands all  men  to  repent.  His  life  has  been  an  honor  to  his 
Master's  cause,  and  when  he  has  ceased  to  suffer  here,  doubt- 
less his  death  will  be  glorious.'' 


THEODORICK    NOEL* 


Was  baptized,  (according  to  the  notice  of  him  in  Semple's 
History,)  in  August,  1773,  being  then  a  young  man,  it  isthought, 
some  few  years  upwards  of  twenty.  He  shortly  afterwards  be- 
gan to  exercise  a  gift  in  the  way  of  exhortation  and  preaching, 
and  soon  became  popular  among  the  Baptists,  and  those  who 
were  attached  to  their  meetings. 

Education  among  the  common  class  in  Virginia,  was  far 
from  being  as  diffusive  at  that  period,  as  it  has  since  become; 
and  Elder  Noel's  stock  of  improvement  in  that  way  was  but 
scanty.  With  a  considerable  share  of  natural  sagacity,  how- 
ever, and  some  degree  of  inventive  power,  his  preaching  talent 
was  held  in  high  estimation  by  the  mass  of  his  hearers;  though 
it  was  in  what  is  called  the  gift  of  exhortation,  that  he  was 
considered  to  excel.  With  a  voice  deep-toned  and  loud,  but 
not  harsh  nor  discordant,  and  a  flow  of  words,  uttered  in  a  sort 
of  tuneful  modulation,  and  attended  with  considerable  unction, 
his  exhortatory  addresses  were  powerfully  impressive,  and  stir- 
red the  feelings  of  many  of  his  auditors  to  a  high  degree.  I 
have  often  witnessed  the  effect  of  his  declamations;  and  my 

*  Prepared  by  Elder  Andrew  Broaddus. 


THBODOB1CK   MO£L.  229 

own  early  religious  impressions  were,  at  such  times,  often  ex- 
cited and  quickened.  In  the  course  of  the  great  revival,  (as  it 
has  been  called,)  in  1788,  '89,  a  season  when  the  passions  were 
more  freely  indulged  in  religious  exercises,  than  they  have 
been  of  late  years,  it  was  nothing  uncommon  for  numbers  in 
the  congregation  to  be  visibly  and  audibly  wrought  on,  in  a 
powerful  manner;  and  this  was  more  remarkably  the  case  un- 
der Elder  Noel's  ministrations.  The  commotion  generally  ap- 
peared towards  the  close  of  the  sermon.  Paroxysms  of  feel- 
ing were  often  excited,  and  crying  out,  and  falling  down,  were 
not  uncommon.  Some  were  distressed  with  conviction.  Some 
animated  with  rejoicing.  In  this  state  of  things,  of  course 
there  was  often  loud  noise;  but  louder  still — like  the  varied 
notes  of  a  trumpet,  was  heard  the  thundering  voice  of  the 
preacher.  Then  it  was,  that  his  peculiar  talent  was  in  full  op- 
eration; while  standing  among  the  people,  or  slowly  moving 
here  and  there,  he  poured  forth  the  full  volume  of  his  voice,  in 
declamation  and  exhortation,  to  those  around  him,  or  in  prayer 
for  those  who  fell  on  their  knees  to  express  their  desire. 

The  life  of  Elder  Noel  does  not  appear  to  have  been  mark- 
ed with  interesting  incidents.  The  "young  woman''  mentioned 
in  Semple's  History,  as  the  first  person  baptized  by  Elder  Noel, 
(on  account  of  which,  her  brother  made  an  assault  on  him  in 
the  water,)  was  afterwards,  sister  Goulden;  who  lately  died,  at 
an  advanced  age,  a  resident  of  Caroline.  I  have  heard  her  re- 
late the  circumstance  of  the  case. 

Elder  Noel  finished  his  course  when,  I  suppose,  he  was 
something  upwards  of  sixty  years  old. 


I  VESON     LEWIS. 


Iveson   Lewis,  was  the  son  of  John    Lewis,  whose  father, 
Zachary  Lewis,  emigrated  to  this  country  from  Breckwork,  in 
Breckworkshire,  Wales,  in  the  year  1692,  at  which   time  he 
20* 


230  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

settled  in  the  county  of  King  and  Queen,  state  of  Virginia. 
Iveson  was  born  the  4th  of  March  1741,  at  the  family  resi- 
dence in  King  and  Queen,  where  he  lived  and  died.  He  was 
educated  in  the  established  religion  of  his  day,  the  Episcopa- 
lian. And  when  he  attained  the  age  of  manhood,  considered 
himself  so  pious  that  he  went  to  the  communion  table  on  all 
sacramental  occasions,  and  thought  himself  prepared  for  hea- 
ven. Thus  passed  off  some  of  his  most  important  days,  in 
utter  ignorance  of  Jesus  Christ  and  his  own  heart.  It  had 
never  entered  his  mind  that  any  thing  more  than  a  conformity 
to  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Episcopal  church,  was  ne- 
cessary  to  obtain  eternal  life;  the  word  of  God  was  scarcely 
ever  read,  consequently,  not  understood  by  him.  When  he 
heard  that  there  was  a  preacher  travelling  through  the  coun- 
try, proclaiming  to  the  people,  that  they  must  be  born  again, 
he  was  struck  with  astonishment,  and  Nicodemus  like,  he 
asked,  how  can  these  things  be.  About  this  time  John  Wal- 
ler, one  of  the  heralds  of  salvation  to  the  benighted  sons  of 
man,  passed  through  his  neighborhood;  he  had  heard  of  him, 
and  entertained  a  contemptible  opinion  of  his  sentiments, 
considering  him  a  wild  enthusiast.  But  he  thought  he  would 
go  and  hear  what  he  had  to  say,  and  found  a  congregation  as- 
sembled under  a  tree,  while  Mr.  Waller  was  addressing  the 
people  from  this  text,  "Ye  must  be  born  again;''  he  paid  marked 
attention  to  the  sermon,  and  before  the  preacher  had  conclud- 
ed, he  found  his  prejudices  entirely  removed,  himself  convinced, 
that  he  had  been  shrouded  in  darkness,  a  poor  perishing  sin- 
ner, and  without  repentance  towards  God,  and  faith  in  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  he  must  be  lost.  He  now  felt  the  horrors 
of  a  guilty  conscience,  and  with  a  determination  to  seek  salva- 
tion by  every  menus  in  bis  power,  he  finally  received  pardon  and 
peace  to  his  troubled  spirit,  through  the  blood  of  atonement. 
Having  been  thus,  in  his  estimation,  converted  to  God,  he 
considered  it  his  duty  to  endeavor  to  convince  all  around  him, 
of  the  truth  of  that  religion  which  he  had  before  despised. 
He   therefore  commenced,  like  Paul   the  apostle,   in  informing 


IVKSON    LEWIS.  231 

his  friends  of  the  dealings  of  God  towards  him;  his  efforts  were 
not  in  vain,  for  many  through  him  believed,  and  turned  to  the 
Lord.  Thus,  before  his  union  with  any  church,  he  began  to 
impart  the  knowledge  of  Christ  to  a  dark  and  benighted  world. 

Upon  searching  the  scriptures,  he  became  convinced  that 
immersion  was  a  scriptural  practice,  and  believers  the  only- 
proper  subjects;  he  was  accordingly  immersed,  and  united  him- 
self to  the  Baptists  about  the  year  1770  or  '71.  Having  an 
earnest  desire  to  promote  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  to  advance 
the  temporal  and  eternal  happiness  of  his  fellow  man,  he  entered 
upon  the  arduous  task  of  endeavoring  to  preach  the  gospel  of 
the  Son  of  God. 

Although  his  talents  as  a  preacher  were  not  above  medioc- 
rity, yet  he  accomplished  much;  his  ardent  zeal,  his  indefatiga- 
ble industry,  his  unwavering  faith,  enabled  him  to  overcome 
all  opposition,  and  to  make  his  way  amidst  persecutions  of 
various  kinds,  so  that  he  was  instrumental  in  spreading  the 
gospel  all  around  him,  and  of  enlisting  numbers  into  the  ser- 
vice of  Jesus  Christ.  Few  men  possessed,  in  a  more  emi- 
nent degree,  the  gift  of  exhortation.  He  was,  always,  warm 
and  pathetic,  in  his  public  addresses.  His  manners  were  gen- 
tle and  refined;  and  although  it  was  his  common  custom  in 
public  and  in  private,  to  converse  with,  and  admonish  ali  per- 
sons, yet  it  has  been  observed  of  him,  that  he  was  never 
known  to  give  offence  to  any  one,  he  was  so  mild,  so  gentle, 
and  so  dignified,  with  so  much  heavenly  simplicity,  that  all 
were  struck  with  his  superior  excellence  as  a  man  and  Chris- 
tian, and  were  at  once  disarmed  of  their  enmity  to  religion, 
and  felt  a  reverence  for  his  character.  In  1775,  he  constituted 
the  church  called  Mathews,  in  the  county  of  that  name,  and 
continued  to  visit  them  once  a  month  for  many  years,  as  pas- 
tor, a  distance  of  about  fifty  miles.  He  also  constituted  two 
churches  in  the  county  of  Gloucester,  about  the  year  1790, 
and  continued  to  visit  them  several  years  as  their  minister, 
the  approach  of  an  advanced  age,  however,  made  it  necessary 
for  him   to  discontinue  his  regular  ministrations   to  these   dis- 


232  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

tant  churches,  and  to  confine  his  labors  to  those  in  his  more  im- 
mediate neighborhood,  in  King  and  Queen,  and  Middlesex 
counties,  where  he  continued  his  regular  pastoral  duties  until 
December,  1814.  About  the  latter  part  of  that  year  he  began 
to  complain  more  than  usual,  and  was  confined  to  bed  until  the 
5th  day  of  January,  1815,  when  in  the  full  possession  of  all 
his  mental  faculties,  with  strong  faith,  relying  on  Him  in  whom 
he  had  believed,  and  without  a  pang,  he  gave  up  the  ghost. 


JOHN     BOWERS 


Tins  devoted  servant  of  God,  was  born  in  Nansemond  county, 
in  1753;  about  1774  he  heard  the  gospel  preached  by  Elder 
David  Barrow — the  word  was  clothed  with  power  from  on 
high,  and  reached  his  heart;  he  was  convinced  of  sin,  and 
soon  became  a  believer  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  was  received  into 
membership  by  the  church  at  South  Quay,  and  baptized  by  El- 
der Barrow,  in  1775.  His  warm  and  zealous  heart  was  drawn 
out  in  longing  desires  for  the  salvation  of  sinners,  and  he  soon 
commenced  holding  evening  meetings,  in  which  he  would  read 
the  scriptures,  and  exhort  the  people  to  turn  to  the  Lord.  In  a 
few  years  he  settled  in  the  neighborhood,  and  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  church  at  Black  creek,  Southampton  county;  where, 
in  1798,  he  was  regularly  set  apart  to  the  sacred  work  of  the 
ministry. 

After  the  removal  of  Elder  Barrow  to  Kentucky,  Elder 
Bowers  was  called  to  the  pastoral  care  of  Black  creek,  South 
Quay,  and  Western  branch  churches,  which  he  continued  to 
serve  during  his  life.  Although  his  talents  were  not  above  me- 
diocrity, yet,  such  was  his  zeal  for  the  salvation  of  sinners, 
that  he  became  a  useful  and  quite  an  acceptable  preacher. 
He  was  seldom  known  to  preach,  or  to  pray  in  public,  without 
shedding  tears. 

He  was  a  great  lover  of  associations,  and,  for  many   years, 


BENJAMIN    WATKINS.  233 

when  present,  presided  as  Moderator.  He  was  an  affectionate 
husband,  a  tender  parent,  an  indulgent  master,  and  a  kind  neigh- 
bor; and  in  every  sphere  of  life  in  which  he  was  called  to  act, 
he  proved  himself  to  be  a  man  of  God.  Having  thus  fought 
a  good  fight,  finished  his  course,  and  kept  the  faith,  he  yielded 
his  soul  to  God  his  Saviour,  October  17th,  1815,  aged  sixty- 
two  years. 


BENJAMIN     WATKINS, 

Elder  Benjamin  Watkins  was  born  in  Powhatan  county, 
July  5th,  1755.  His  father  died  when  he  was  only  three  years 
of  age.  His  mother,  though  a  stranger  to  vital  godliness,  was 
not  negligent  of  the  externals  of  religion,  but  taught  himshort 
prayers,  and  endeavored  to  instil  into  his  mind,  such  princi- 
ples as  she  supposed  necessary  to  prepare  him  for  usefulness 
in  this  world.  She  maintained  a  most  rigid  discipline  in  the 
management  of  her  family,  and  required  them  regularly  to  at- 
tend the  services  of  the  Episcopol  church.  Benjamin,  from  a 
child,  was  remarkable  for  his  strict  moral  habits.  When  but 
nine  years  old  he  was  the  subject  ofserious  impressions,  which 
were  banished  from  his  mind  from  time  to  time,  until  he  had 
reached  his  19th  year,  when  he  became  a  happy  believer  in 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Until  this  period,  he  had  not.  been  ac- 
customed to  hear  the  gospel  proclaimed  in  its  purity,  nor  had 
he,  amid  all  his  convictions,  been  conscious  of  his  entire  guilt 
and  helplessness.  With  reference  to  his  conversion,  he  says, 
"I  was  brought  up  strictly,  and  often  went  to  church,  and  said 
prayers,  &c,  but  after  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  send  his  glo- 
rious gospel  in  our  land,  I  was  convinced  that  1  was  a  poor  sin- 
ner, and  could  never  obtain  rest  but  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.'' 

Owing  to  strong  apprehensions  that  he  might  be  deceived, 
he  delayed  connexion  with  the  church  for  more  than  two 
years.     The  great  adversary   knows  well  what  is  most  likely 


234  BIOGRAPHY     OF 

to  deter  the  child  of  God  from  walking  in  the  path  of  duty. 
If  he  can  disturb  the  mind  by  perplexing  doubts  concerning 
the  divine  favor,  and  thus  prevent  an  active  devotion  to  the 
Redeemer's  will,  his  end  is  gained,  as  well  as  when  he  can  in- 
duce to  entire  thoughtlessness  on  eternal  things.  Having 
obtained  clearer  views  of  the  plan  of  salvation,  and  exercised 
a  more  simple  reliance  on  its  provisions,  Mr.  Watkins  was 
baptized,  September  22,  1776,  and  became  a  member  of  the 
church  at  Powhatan  meeting  house,  then  known  by  the  name 
of  Dupuy's. 

When  speaking  afterwards  of  this  event,  he  remarks,  ''I 
could  not  venture  at  first  to  give  a  relation  of  the  work  of  God, 
lest  1  should  impose  on  the  chutch;not  that  I  had  any  scruples 
relative  to  believers'  baptism,  for  I  was  convinced  of  that  by 
reading  the  word  of  God.  1  have  often  wondered  how  Chris- 
tians could  neglect  this  plain  command  of  Jesus  Christ,  but  be- 
lieve that  the  glorious  lime  is  rolling  on,  when  all  the  saints  of 
God  will  see  eye  to  eye,  when  infant  sprinkling  will  be  done 
away,  with  \3very  other  human  tradition,  and  Jesus  will  be  king 
of  Zion,  and  his  name  one.  Then  will  all  submit  to  believers' 
baptism,  and  embrace  each  other  in  heart  and  hand,  and  glorify 
together  our  heavenly  Father." 

He  began  to  preach  in  1783,  but  was  not  ordained  until 
March  19th,  1786.  The  Presbytery  which  attended  his  or- 
dination, were  Elders  George  Smith,  James  Dnpuy,  and  John 
Goode.  For  several  years  he  was  employed  in  teaching  a 
school,  and  consequently,  was  not  then  wholly  given  to  the  min- 
istry. But  from  1790,  the  greater  part  of  his  time  was  engag- 
ed in  travelling  and  preaching  the  gospel,  and,  in  various  res- 
pects was  made  a  blessing  to  the  cause  of  Christ.  Through 
him,  many  souls  were  brought  to  God,  and  churches  established 
and  enlarged.  In  prosecuting  his  work,  he  was  laborious  and 
persevering.  He  travelled  extensively,  proclaiming  wherever 
he  went,  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.  It  was  his  ambi- 
tion to  occupy  the  most  destitute  portions  of  the  Lord's  vine- 
yard.     In  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  he  annually  performed  tours 


BENJAMIN    WATKINS.  235 

throughout  Chesterfield,  Amelia,  Nottaway,  Brunswick,  and 
Lunenburg,  for  the  special  purpose  of  doing  good.  His  mem- 
ory will  long  be  revered  by  many  in  these  counties.  In  him, 
when  almost  unsupplied  with  religious  instruction,  they  found  a 
friend  willing  to  make  sacrifices  and  endure  hardships,  that  they 
might  be  benefited.  His  regular  yearly  visits  were  anticipated 
with  unfeigned  joy  by  them,  and  when  he  did  come,  he  came 
in  the  fullness  of  the  blessing  of  the  gospel  of  Christ. 

It  is  proper  that  something  be  said  of  his  manner  in  the  pul- 
pit. He  was,  to  some  extent,  eccentric,  though  without  seem- 
ing to  be  aware  of  it.  His  illustrations  and  allusions  were 
homely  and  sometimes  wanting  in  dignity.  No  one,  however, 
could  accuse  him  of  intention  to  amuse.  While  a  smile  was 
almost  unavoidably  produced  by  his  anecdotes,  he  himself  re- 
mained grave.  There  was  a  perfect  simplicity  in  all  he  said 
and  did.  He  was  remarkable  too,  for  the  earnestness  with 
which  he  urged  the  doctrines  and  precepts  of  the  gospel.  His 
addresses  were  generally  of  the  hortatory  kind. 

Mr.  Watkins  was  peculiarly  scrupulous  in  all  his  business 
transactions  with  his  fellow  men.  To  "owe  no  man  any  thing," 
was  a  maxim  to  which  he  rigidly  adhered  through  life.  Those 
who  name  the  name  of  Christ,  cannot  be  too  punctilious  in  the 
faithful  execution  of  all  their  pledges;  especially  is  this  true 
with  regard  to  him  who  calls  himself  a  teacher  in  spiritual 
things.  There  have  been  those  who  acted  as  if  it  were  a  mat- 
ter of  comparatively  little  importance  to  discharge  pecuniary 
obligations,  and  thus,  have  seriously  injured  the  causeof  religion. 

His  piety  was  of  the  most  uniform  character.  It  was  the 
result  of  principle.  The  great  business  of  his  life  was  to  do 
good.  Whether  abroad  or  at  home,  he  was  an  Israelite  indeed, 
in  whom  there  was  no  guile.  As  the  head  of  a  family,  he  al- 
ways manifested  the  deepest  concern  for  their  spiritual  welfare. 
Of  his  ten  children,  nearly  all  became  the  subjects  of  conver- 
sion. He  was  also  an  ardent  lover  of  good  men,  and  exerted 
his  influence  to  promote  the  harmony  of  the  churches.  "It  is, 
said  he,  a  remark  of  the  wise  man,  two  are  better  than  one, 


BIOGRAPHY     OP 


and,  a  three-fold  cord  is  not  quickly  broken.  The  brethren 
should  be  helpers  of  each  other.  The  feeble  state  of  infants, 
the  unwary  steps  of  youth,  the  decrepitude  of  old  age,  and  in- 
deed the  inability  of  individuals  to  execute  business  of  agricul- 
ture and  mechanism,  all  evince  the  utility  of  society  in  civil 
life.  Nor  are  the  arguments  in  favor  of  union  in  religion,  less 
pungent  and  conclusive." 

Elder  Wafkins  was  also  a  warm  friend  of  those  measures 
which  are  employed  by  the  church  to  spread  the  knowledge  of 
a  Saviour  through  the  earth.  In  reference  to  the  prospect  of 
accomplishing  this  object,  he  observes:  "The  days  in  which  we 
live,  are  pregnant  with  wonders.  Are  not  these  the  days  fore- 
told by  ancient  prophets,  when  the  stone  cut  out  of  the  moun- 
tains without  hands,  shall  fill  the  earth  with  the  glory  of  God? 
Is  it  not  the  mighty  angel  flying  in  the  midst  of  heaven, 
having  the  everlasting  gospel  to  preach  unto  them  that  dwell 
on  the  earth,  and  to  every  nation,  and  kindred,  and  tongue,  and 
people,  saying,  with  a  loud  voice,  'fear  God,  and  give  glory  to 
him:  for  the  hour  of  his  judgment  is  come?'  In  the  distribu- 
tion of  the  word  of  truth,  are  not  party  names  and  prejudices 
to  crumble,  totter,  and  fall,  and  all  the  church  in  this  grand 
work  to  become  one?  The  beams  of  truth  have  begun  to  dawn 
on  almost  every  land;  and  the  Lord  is  adding  to  the  church 
daily  such  as  shall  be  saved."  In  giving  encouragement  to 
these  efforts,  he  did  not  satisfy  himself  with  appeals  from  the 
pulpit.  He  was  a  man  of  deeds  as  well  as  words.  Regularly 
every  year  he  called  on  a  friend  in  Richmond,  and  deposited  a 
sum  of  money  to  be  appropriated  to  objects  of  benevolence. 
In  his  views  of  truth,  he  was  sound  and  scriptural.  When  in 
the  pulpit,  he  delighted  to  dwell  on  those  doctrines  which  are 
most  essential  to  be  known.  "Every  parcel  of  truth  (he  used 
to  say)  is  as  precious  as  the  filings  of  gold.  A  man  may  sell 
his  house,  his  lands,  his  jewels,  but  truth  is  a  jewel  that  ex- 
ceeds all  price,  and  must  not  be  sold.  While  error  and  igno- 
rance are  still  abounding  in  the  world;  while  Deists,  Arians, 
and  Socinians,  are  active,  let  us,  as  the  people  of  God,  earnest- 


BENJAMIN    WATKINS.  237 

ly  contend  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints.  Let  us 
at  all  times,  and  in  all  places,  watch  and  be  sober." 

It  was  the  will  of  God  that  his  servant  should  live  to  a  good 
old  age.  He  continued  to  labor  in  the  ministry  until  a  few 
days  before  his  death.  On  the  Sabbath  before  he  died,  he 
preached  twice  with  his  accustomed  warmth;  his  last  sermon 
was  founded  on  the  prayer  of  the  publican,  "God  be  merciful 
to  me  a  sinner.''  This  was  with  him  a  darling  theme.  He 
had  been  frequently  heard  to  say,  that  this  prayer  was  suit- 
able to  be  offered  by  him:  for  he  felt  himself  to  be  a  sinner. 
About  this  time  the  work  of  the  Lord  began  to  revive  among 
the  churches  of  his  charge.  For  this  he  had  long  been  deeply 
solicitous,  and  was  often  known  to  say,  if  he  could  live  to  see 
another  revival  of  religion,  he  should  rejoice  to  die. 

The  Wednesday  before  his  death,  a  church  meeting  was 
held  to  receive  one  of  the  first  subjects  of  the  work,  which  was 
then  beginning  to  be  manifest.  He  was  too  much  indisposed 
to  leave  his  bed.  The  church  determined  to  meet  at  his  house; 
and  though  he  was  quite  ill,  he  proposed  several  questions  to 
the  candidate,  and  manifested  a  peculiar  interest  in  the  relation 
she  gave.  On  Thursday  and  Friday  he  became  much  weaker, 
and  was  conscious  that  he  was  near  his  end.  A  perfect  resig- 
nation to  the  divine  will  was  exhibited,  and  a  comfortable  as- 
surance enjoyed  that  he  should  soon  be  with  Christ.  On  Lord's 
day  morning,  July  17th,  1831,  he  breathed  his  last,  in  the  76th 
year  of  his  age. 

Thus  died  this  venerable  servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  for 
the  space  of  forty-eight  years  had  been  employed  in  his  vine- 
yard. During  this  period  he  had  preached  more  than  six 
thousand  sermons,  being  rather  more  than  an  average  of  one 
hundred  and  thirty-two  for  every  year  he  labored  in  the  min- 
istry. 


'Jl 


233 


BIOGRArHY    OF 


MARTIN     DAWSON 


Martin  Dawson  was  an  efficient  minister  of  the  Albemarle 
Association.  He  was  born  in  the  year  1744.  When  he  had 
reached  his  30th  year,  his  heart  was  brought  under  the  influ- 
ence of  truth,  by  the  preaching  of  Elder  David  Patterson,  by 
whom  he  was  baptized.  He  at  once  began  to  preach,  though 
with  much  fear  and  trembling,  often  being  ready  to  yield  to 
the  impression,  that  he  was  not  called  to  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry. However,  he  continued  the  practice  of  speaking  in  pub- 
lic, until  it  was  judged  by  his  brethren  expedient  to  urge  him 
forward,  as  qualified  to  fill  the  pastoral  office.  On  the  day  of 
his  ordination,  Ballenger's  creek  church  was  constituted,  and  he 
invited  to  officiate  as  their  spiritual  shepherd. 

As  the  pastor  of  this  church,  he  was  eminently  useful;  sev- 
eral interesting  seasons  were  enjoyed,  when  converts  were 
baptized,  and  added  to  the  people  of  God.  As  might  be  ex- 
pected under  such  circumstances,  he  was  extensively  known 
and  beloved  in  the  county  where  he  labored.  For  many  years 
he  presided  over  the  deliberations  of  the  Albemarle  Associa- 
tion with  much  dignity. 

Beside  the  church  called  Ballenger's  creek,  he  served,  at  dif- 
ferent times,  several  other  churches.  His  talents,  though  not 
showy,  were  of  the  useful  kind.  He  did  much  good.  The 
confidence  of  all  classes  of  men  were  reposed  in  him  as  long  as 
he  lived.  During  his  last  sickness,  he  conversed  freely,  con- 
cerning his  departure  hence,  and  sometimes  said,  while  he 
dreaded  the  pains  of  death,  he  had  nothing  to  fear  beyond  the 
grave.  He  desired  that  no  funeral  sermon  should  be  preached 
at  his  decease.     To  the  rest  of  heaven  he  has  doubtless  gone. 

He  married  in  early  life,  and  was  the  father  of  a  numerous 
offspring,  for  whose  support,  by  his  industry,  he  made  ample 
provision. 


WILLIAM    CLOl'TOX. 


JOHN    WRIGHT, 


John  Wright  became  a  convert  to  the  service  of  the  Re- 
deemer under  the  preaching  of  Elder  Elijah  Baker,  in  York 
county,  and  was  baptized  by  him  in  1776.  He  began  at  once 
to  preach  the  gospel  himself,  and  having  satisfied  his  brethren 
that  he  possessed  the  requisite  qualifications,  he  was  ordained, 
and  in  1777,  became  the  pastor  of  Grafton  church,  York  coun- 
ty. "Mr.  Wright,  (says  Mr.  Semple,)  was  a  blessed  man  of 
God.  He  was  faithful  to  occupy  his  talents.  No  man  could 
find  him  out  of  his  place;  he  lived  and  died  a  pious  Christian, 
and  a  faithful  as  well  as  useful  minister  of  Christ.  He  was  a 
poor  man,  and  had  a  family  to  support,  which  prevented  him 
from  being  as  extensively  useful,  as  he  probably  would  have  been 
under  more  favorable  circumstances:  but  his  vineyard,  though 
small,  was  well  kept;  his  duty  was  his  delight.  In  discipline 
he  was  tender,  yet  vigilant  and  impartial.  He  died  about  1795, 
much  regretted  by  all  classes." 


WILLIAM     CLO  PTON 


Elder  William  Cloi>ton,  the  only  child  of  Walter  Clop- 
ton,  was  born  in  New  Kent  county,  in  17G1.  At  an  early  age 
his  parents  were  removed  by  death,  and  he  was  placed  in  the 
care  of  an  uncle,  who  became  his  guardian.  By  some  means, 
the  property  to  which  he  was  heir  having  been  lost,  his  educa- 
tion was  much  neglected.  He  was  simply  taught  the  common 
branches  of  learning,  and  apprenticed  to  the  wheel-right  busi- 
ness. Before  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  intermarried  with 
Elizabeth  Clark,  and  abandoning  his  mechanical  employment, 
became  a  farmer. 

About  the  time  of  his  marriage  he  embraced  religion  and 
united  with  the  Methodist  church.  On  examination  he  became 
convinced  that  it  was  his  dutv  to  be  immersed;  and  determined, 


240  BIOGRAPHY     OF 

forthwith,  to  deny  himself  and  follow  his  Master  into  the  liquid 
grave.  He  was  baptized  by  Elder  Elijah  Baker  near  the  close 
of  the  revolutionary  war.  About  this  time,  Charles  City  church 
was  constituted,  of  which  Elder  Clopton  became  a  member. 
He  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  church,  and  after  the  expiration 
of  several  years,  was  called  to  the  deaconry.  This  last  office 
he  filled  with  great  propriety  and  usefulness.  In  1S04,  they 
lost  their  pastor  by  death,  and  the  duty  of  conducting  all  their 
social  meetings  devolved  on  the  subject  of  this  memoir.  He 
took  occasion  to  exhort  his  brethren,  and  to  urge  on  them  the 
faithful  execution  of  their  various  duties.  The  church  soon  be- 
came convinced  that  he  ought  to  be  encouraged  in  the  exercise 
of  his  gifts.  He  continued  to  exhort,  and  occasionally  to  ex- 
pound the  scriptures,  until  1808,  when,  by  request  of  the  church, 
he  consented  to  preside  over  them,  as  their  under  shepherd. 

Though  Elder  Clopton  was  never  distinguished  by  vigor  of 
intellect,  or  extent  of  information,  and  although  his  success  in 
the  conversion  of  souls  was  not  extensive,  he  was,  nevertheless, 
very  useful.  As  a  pastor  he  was  zealous  and  faithful.  The 
people  of  his  charge  esteemed  him  very  highly — for  his  works' 
sake  he  deserved  their  esteem.  By  all  who  knew  him  he  was 
generally  respected,  both  as  a  pious  man,  and  a  preacher.  To- 
wards the  close  of  life  he  devoted  much  of  his  time  to  mis- 
sionary labor  among  the  destitute  churches  in  the  surrounding 
counties. 

A  short  time  before  his  death,  efforts  among  the  Baptists 
were  commenced  to  send  abroad  the  gospel  of  the  Son  of  God. 
He  became  much  interested  in  these  plans,  and  to  the  extent  of 
his  influence  encouraged  them. 

He  was  removed  from  the  church  on  earth,  to  the  general 
assembly  and  church  of  the  first-born  in  heaven,  January  18th, 
1816.  Five  days  previous,  he  saw  the  companion  of  his  life 
breathe  her  last.  On  the  day  of  her  interment  he  was  attacked 
with  an  epidemic  fever,  which,  in  a  short  time,  brought  him 
down  to  the  grave.  He  died  as  he  lived.  Christ  was  his  stay 
and  his  joy.     With  great  earnestness  he  exhorted   his  friends 


JOHN    GOODE.  241 

to  prepare  for  a  happier  meeting  in  a  better  world.  His  at- 
tendant physician  was  much  struck  with  the  scene  of  his 
death-bed,  and  frequently  remarked  he  had  never  beheld  so 
much  composure  in  the  trying  hour.  He  left  six  children,  one 
of  whom,  Elder  James  Clopton,  succeeds  him  in  the  pastoral 
office,  and  labors  much  in  the  region  between  Richmond  and 
Williamsburg. 


JOHN    GOODE, 

Elder  John  Goode  was  born  near  Four  Mile  creek,  Hen- 
rico,  March,  1738.  At  the  age  of  21,  he  removed  to  the  county 
of  Chesterfield,  where  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Sarah  Brown.  Some  time  in  1778,  Elder  William  Hickman 
preached  in  the  neighborhood,  and  Mr.  Goode  attended  his 
ministry.  The  power  of  the  most  high  God  reached  his  heart, 
and  such  was  his  distress  of  mind,  that  for  some  time  he  was 
unable  to  attend  to  his  worldly  business.  In  communicating 
his  feelings  to  his  companion,  he  expressed  the  belief  that  he 
should  be  forever  lost,  he  saw  no  way  of  escape  for  such  a  sin- 
ner as  he  felt  himself  to  be;  but,  to  his  great  surprise,  when 
hope  was  almost  gone,  the  Lord  appeared  in  mercy  for  his  re- 
lief: his  burdened  soul  was  made  to  rejoice  in  the  atoning 
blood  of  Christ.  He  called  on  all  around  to  join  him  in  praising 
God.  His  confidence  was  so  great  that  he  thought  he  could 
convince  every  one  of  the  value  of  the  gospel,  and  went  from 
house  to  house  declaring  what  great  things  the  Lord  had  done 
for  him.  He  was  baptized,  and  joined  Skinquarter  church,  in 
1778;  he  soon  began  to  hold  meetings  and  to  lead  in  exhortation 
and  prayer.  Before  many  months  had  elapsed,  he  engaged  in 
preaching  the  gospel,  and  having  been  approved  by  the  church, 
was  ordained  June  18th,  1780;  Elders  Reuben  Ford,  John  Du- 
puy,  Eleazer  Clay,  and  William  Hickman  constituted  the  ordain- 
ing presbytery.  The  church  of  which  he  was  a  member,  being 
21* 


242  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

destitute  of  a  pastor,  unitedly  elected  him  to  that  office.  He 
accepted  the  invitation  and  labored  with  them  until  his  death. 
Elder  Goode  had  not  the  advantage  of  an  early  education; 
at  the  time  of  his  birth,  opportunities  for  obtaining  useful  in- 
formation were  enjoyed  but  by  few.  He  was,  however,  very 
zealous  and  faithful  in  his  Master's  cause.  His  labors  were 
extensively  blessed  in  the  salvation  of  sinners,  and  in  building 
up  the  church.  He  not  only  preached  in  his  own  immediate 
vicinity,  but  in  various  parts  of  the  country.  There  are  a  few 
still  living  who  remember  the  zeal  and  fidelity  with  which  the 
cause  of  the  Redeemer  was  advocated  by  him. 

Of  his  sixteen  children,  eleven  became  hopefully  pious,  and 
united  themselves  with  the  Baptist  church.  One  of  his  sons 
entered  the  ministry,  and  still  lives  to  recommend  the  Saviour 
of  sinners.  Like  a  shock  of  corn  fully  ripe,  this  aged  servant 
of  the  Lord  was  gathered  unto  his  fathers  the  12th  of  June, 
1790.  His  death  was  peaceful.  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the 
Lord  is  the  death  of  his  saints. 


JOHN     A  S  P  L  U  N  D 


John  Asplund  was  a  Swede  by  birth.  Being  devoted  in 
early  life  to  mercantile  pursuits,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining 
business,  he  visited  England  about  1775,  and  there,  for  a  short 
time,  obtained  employment  as  a  clerk.  He  then  became  con- 
nected with  the  British  navy,  and,  while  on  the  American 
coast,  deserted  and  settled  in  North  Carolina.  There  he  be- 
came pious,  and  about  1782,  was  immersed  by  David  Walsh, 
and  united  with  Ballard's  bridge  church,  Chowan  county.  He 
afterwards  removed  to  Southampton,  Va.,  and  commenced  the 
ministry.  In  1785,  he  returned  to  Europe,  and  visited  Eng- 
land, Denmark,  Finland,  Lapland,  and  Germany.  On  his  ar- 
rival in  America,  he  travelled  through  the  states,  collecting 
statistical    information  concerning  the   Baptist  denomination. 


JOHN    ASPLUND.  213 

In  1791,  he  published  a  small  folio  volume  as  the  result  of  his 
eflbrts.  It  contains  many  valuable  facts.  Introducing  this 
work  to  his  readers,  he  remarks: 

"I  have  long  been  desirous,  and  have  waited  several  years  to 
see  a  publication  of  the  nature  of  the  following.  And  though 
1  was  sensible  I  could  publish  nothing  of  tbe  kind  without  the 
fatigue  and  expense  of  travelling  over  the  greatest  part  of  the 
continent;  yet,  at  the  request  of  many,  I  have  been  prevailed 
upon  to  make  the  tour  of  the  Baptist  churches,  to  obtain  the 
necessary  information.  With  a  view  to  this,  I  have  travelled 
about  7,000  miles,  in  about  eighteen  months,  chiefly  on  foot, 
and  have  visited  about  two  hundred  and  fifteen  churches,  and 
fifteen  associations.  I  am  personally  acquainted  with  two 
hundred  and  fifty  ministers  of  our  society,  so  that  the  Regis- 
ter may  safely  be  depended  upon  in  general,  though  after  all, 
perhaps,  a  few  churches  and  ministers  may  be  omitted.  It  is 
probable  also,  that  the  number  of  members  in  some  churches 
may  not  be  exact,  as  some  do  not  associate — others  who  do, 
neglect  to  send  forward  their  number — and  some  make  con- 
science of  numbering  the  people. 

"Having  been  brought  up  with  a  view  to  the  business  of 
merchandize,  I  have  been  accustomed  to  keeping  accounts; 
and  I  now  prefer  accounts  of  souls  with  their  faces  set  Zion- 
ward,  to  those  which  only  respect  money  or  trade.  I  have  a 
natural  turn  for  travelling,  and  I  am  convinced  1  could  not 
better  spend  my  time,  than  in  itinerating  to  preach  the  gospel, 
and  to  collect  materials  which  may  assist  the  future  historian; 
and  though  I  have  met  with  many  discouragements  from  nar- 
row-minded persons,  whose  illiberal  souls  are  not  concerned  for 
the  public  welfare;  I  appeal  to  the  Searcher  of  hearts,  that  my 
principal  design  is  to  make  the  Baptists  better  acquainted  with 
each  other,  that  union  may  more  generally  obtain  among 
them. 

JOHN  ASPLUND,  a  Swede. 

Southampton  county,  Va.  July  14,  1791." 

He  published  another  Register  in  1794,  when   he   travelled 


244  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

10,000  miles,  and  became  acquainted  with  700  Baptist  minis- 
ters. His  talents  as  a  speaker  were  quite  plain,  and,  in  this 
capacity,  he  was  never  distinguished.  In  the  latter  part  of 
his  life,  he  was  much  injured  by  engaging  in  land  speculations. 
Having  removed  to  Maryland,  he  was  suddenly  removed  by 
drowning  in  1807. 


EPHR  Al  M     ABEL. 

Although  he  whose  character  is  now  to  receive  attention, 
was  one  of  the  most  useful  men  of  his  day,  his  memory  had 
well  nigh  perished.  While  other  men  less  humble  and  devoted 
have  been  admired,  and  have  had  their  names  handed  down  to 
the  present  age,  no  one  seems,  hitherto,  to  have  taken  pains  to 
record  the  labors  of  Ephraim  Abel.  His  most  enduring  record, 
however,  is  on  high,  and  if  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life  his  name 
be  found,  it  is  of  comparatively  little  moment  though  the  gene- 
ration in  which  he  moved  on  earth,  should  ungratefully  neglect 
him. 

His  native  place  was  the  county  of  Orange,  where  his  heart 
was  subdued  to  the  obedience  of  the  faith,  and  where  he  was 
baptized  by  John  Leland,  not  far  from  the  year  17S8.  Very 
soon  after  his  connexion  with  the  Baptist  church  he  commenced 
his  ministerial  course.  After  his  ordination  he  removed  to 
Fauquier  county.  He  was  soon  called  to  the  pastorate  of  Hart- 
wood  in  Stafford,  and  it  is  believed  he  also  undertook  the  charge 
of  Brenttown  in  Prince  William.  Beside  this,  he  labored 
much  in  Fauquier  county.  The  following  testimony  to  the  ex- 
cellence of  Elder  Abel's  character,  and  the  success  of  his  toils, 
is  borne  by  one  of  the  most  judicious  brethren  of  the  upper 
country,  who,  for  a  series  of  years,  was  intimately  acquainted 
with  him: 

"He  was  a  man  possessing  great  worth  of  character,  exert- 
ing an  extensive  and  happy  influence  upon  the  communities  in 


EPHRAIM    ABEL.  245 

which  he  lived.  Correcting  with  great  judgment  and  tender- 
ness the  improprieties  of  the  brotherhood,  and  giving,  by  his 
amiable  and  pious  life,  a  mighty  sanction  to  the  truths  which  he 
diligently  propagated  for  many  years,  he  is  most  affectionately 
remembered  by  a  few  surviving  brethren.  He  died  universally 
lamented  about  1809.  When  Fristoe's  Ketockton  History  ap- 
peared a  few  years  after,  it  was  a  matter  of  profound  astonish- 
ment that  Elder  Abel  was  not  noticed  according  to  his  claims 
upon  the  historian.  It  will  be  explained,  perhaps,  by  advert- 
ing to  what  will  soon  cease  to  be  known,  except  on  the  page  of 
history.  That  historian,  with  all  his  native  greatness,  and  gra- 
cious goodness,  was  accustomed  to  rate  men  low,  who  did  not 
spend  a  large  portion  of  their  time,  in  degrading  (ideal)  Ar- 
minianism.  This,  the  subject  of  these  remarks,  thought  was 
best  done  by  preaching  Christ  and  him  crucified.  The  spirit 
of  the  age  in  which  he  lived,  led  almost  all  men  into  bitter 
controversy  in  the  pulpit.  Such  was  the  meekness  of  his  spirit, 
and  the  philanthropy  of  his  heart,  that  he  preferred  avoiding 
the  theatre  where  he  was  likely,  by  circumstances,  to  have  his 
soul  brought  under  a  sectarian  influence  of  a  controversial 
character;  hence,  he  seldom  visited  associations.  His  views  of 
truth  were  of  that  kind,  which  tend  eminently  to  degrade 
human  nature,  and  exalt  the  riches  of  divine  grace.  There  was 
a  lovely  proportion  in  his  character  which  commended  itself  to 
those  who  knew  him  best,  as  the  result  of  a  supernatural  influ- 
ence. Many  were  brought  in  under  his  ministry,  and  instances 
are  still  occurring  which  attest  the  fact,  that  the  Lord  used 
him  as  the  instrument  of  sowing  seed  to  spring  up  long  after  he 
had  entered  upon  the  joys  of  a  better  state.  He  left  several 
children;  most  of  them  are  professors  of  religion. 

The  field  of  his  labor  was  extensive,  he  being  for  many 
years  the  only  minister  of  our  denomination  for  a  large  district 
of  country.  He  was  removed  from  earth  by  a  lingering  dis- 
ease. His  soul  was  calm,  his  faith  unwavering,  till  he  gently 
fell  asleep  in  the  arms  of  Jesus.  It  was  said  by  those  who 
knew,  that   it  was  truly  delightful  to  be  with  him  during  his 


246  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

illness.  He  expressed  anxiety  about  the  condition  of  his 
churches,  and  desired  the  brethren  to  meet  together  and  keep 
up  the  worship  of  God.  This  was  done  as  he  desired  until  a 
successor  was  obtained." 

From  this  extract  the  reader  may  justly  infer,  that  Elder 
Abel  was,  as  a  man  and  minister,  well  qualified  to  exercise  a  salu- 
tary influence  among  the  circles  in  which  he  moved.  May  not 
the  fervent  prayer  be  offered  up  to  the  Lord  of  the  harvest,  that 
he  would  multiply  many  such  laborers. 


HENRY     KEELING      SEN  * 

Henry  Keeling,  sen.,  was  born  in  Princess  Ann  county, 
Va.,  March  15th,  1770.  By  his  parents  (who  were  respectable 
and  pious)  he  was  in  early  life  instructed  in  the  principles,  and 
taught  to  conform  to  the  rules  of  the  Episcopal  church.  No 
lasting  impression,  however,  in  relation  either  to  the  nature  or 
to  the  importance  of  a  change  of  heart,  seemed  to  be  made 
upon  his  mind,  until  he  had  arrived  at  about  the  age  of  eighteen 
years.  About  that  time,  a  church  of  the  Baptist  denomination, 
was  created  in  Norfolk,  where  he  then  lived.  Convinced  of 
the  total  depravity  of  the  human  heart — the  entire  incompe- 
tency of  man  to  effect  his  own  deliverance  from  that  curse, 
which  is  consequent  upon  this  depravity — the  value  and  the 
importance  of  that  atonement,  which  for  transgression  was 
made  on  Calvary's  cross — and  the  absolute  freeness  with  which 
the  blessings  of  the  gospel  are  offered  to  perishing  sinners,  he 
made  a  public  profession  of  his  decided  attachment  and  devo- 
tedness  to  the  cause  of  Christ.  Upon  a  relation  of  the  exer- 
cise and  the  determinations  of  his  mind,  (having  submitted 
himself  as  a  candidate  for  immersion,  after  the  example  of  the 

*From  the  Latter  Day  Luminary. 


HENRY    KEELING,  SEN.  247 

Redeemer  and  his  primitive  disciples)  he  was  received  into  the 
fellowship  of  the  church. 

Although  at  an  early  period  in  his  Christian  career,  he  en- 
tertained views  towards  the  gospel  ministry,  so  deeply  was  he 
convinced  of  the  greatness  and  the  awfulness  of  the  service, 
that  he  was  deterred  from  entering  upon  it,  until  he  had  nearly 
attained  his  thirtieth  year.  In  March,  1803,  he  was,  by  or- 
dination, fully  introduced  to  the  pleasures,  the  honors,  and  the 
toils  of  the  sacred  office.  His  exertions  being  principally  con- 
fined to  churches  and  neighborhoods  within  the  association  to 
which  he  was  united,  the  field  in  which  he  labored  was  not 
very  extensive.  But  an  opportunity  thence  resulted  for  its 
better  cultivation.  Nor  was  this  opportunity  unimproved. 
Every  means  in  his  power  was  employed  for  extending  to 
others  the  blessing  of  that  gospel,  the  excellencies  of  which, 
his  own  soul  realized.  Three  years  of  his  life  were  occupied 
in  the  vicinity  of  Edenton,  not  without  success.  But,  in  his 
native  county,  among  those  with  whom  he  had  been  intimate 
from  his  infancy,  especially  were  the  people  of  his  charge. 
Connected  with  his  campaign,  there  were  no  signal  victories 
achieved  over  the  enemies  of  the  cross.  Additions,  though  not 
in  crowds,  were  nevertheless,  by  their  frequency,  rendered  nu- 
merous. His  public  exhibitions,  as  well  as  the  whole  of  his 
deportment,  showed  the  incorrectness  of  the  idea,  that  the  doc- 
trines of  grace  are  inconsistent  with  a  holy  life.  That  spirit- 
ual light  which  shone  around  him,  while  engaged  in  pulpit 
efforts,  became  more  and  more  effulgent,  as  he  advanced  to  the 
termination  of  the  course  which  he  pursued.  During  the  last 
year  of  his  life,  he  was  frequently  assailed  by  bilious  diseases, 
which  were  powerful  and  rapid.  The  writer  of  this  commu- 
nication is  informed  by  many  of  his  flock,  that  his  recoveries 
from  these  attacks,  were  followed  by  an  increasing  energy  and 
spirituality,  beyond  any  thing  they  had  ever  witnessed.  His 
people  had  just  now  erected  a  new  building  for  the  worship  of 
God — many  were  added  to  the  church — the  assembly  had 
greatly   increased — prospects  were  truly  flattering;  but  hark! 


248  BIOGRATHY    OF 

a  messenger  appears.  His  march  is  stopped.  And,  by  a  few 
weeks'  illness,  he  is  called  from  the  militant,  to  the  triumphant 
church.  Yes,  he  has  departed.  He  is,  no  doubt,  with  Christ. 
He  has  rendered  his  account  unto  God. 

On  the  28th  of  July,  1820,  having  previously  committed  to 
the  compassion  of  God,  by  an  act  of  solemn  prayer,  the  people 
of  his  charge — an  afflicted  family — the  kingdom  of  Christ  on 
earth — and  a  world  involved  in  ruin,  he  departed,  with  a  hope 
full  of  immortality,  from  the  toils  and  the  honors  of  this  pro- 
bationary state  of  existence. 

To  lament  his  loss,  he  has  left  in  general,  all  the  friends  of 
Zion  who  knew  him,  and  in  particular,  an  afflicted  widow, 
three  tender  daughters,  and  an  only  son.  Connected  with  the 
loss  sustained  by  his  son,  there  is  one  peculiarly  afflicting  cir- 
cumstance. He  had  been  absent  two  years,  pursuing,  at  the 
institution  in  Philadelphia,  studies  connected  with  the  labors 
of  the  ministry.  The  only  remaining  earthly  desire  of  the 
aged  parent,  was  to  see  his  son  before  his  death.  Intelligence 
to  him  was  immediately  conveyed.  But,  alas!  six  hours  before 
his  arrival,  the  vital  current  had  ceased  to  flow. 


ABSALOM    WALLER 


Tins  servant  of  the  Redeemer,  was  born  in  Spotsylvania, 
Va.  in  1772.  His  parents,  several  years  prior  to  their  mar- 
riage, were  brought  under  religious  influence  by  the  instru- 
mentality of  Elder  Samuel  Harriss.  Having  heard  from  his 
lips  the  word  of  salvation  and  embraced  it,  in  1768,  they  be- 
came members  of  the  Baptist  church.  They  had  six  children, 
of  whom  Absalom  was  the  oldest.  They  were  allowed  not  only 
to  see  them  all  happily  married  and  settled  in  comfortable  cir- 
cumstances, but  the  followers  of  Christ,  and  members  of 
his  visible  church.  The  happy  influence  of  parental  counsel 
and  example  was  strikingly  exhibited  in  their  history.     With 


ABSALOM    WALLER.  249 

regard  to  this  influence,  their  son  Absalom  thus  speaks  when  he 
was  nearly  fifty  years  of  age:  "I  have  often  remembered,  with 
humble  gratitude  to  God,  my  happy  lot  to  be  born  of  such  pa- 
rents. They  used  to  converse  with  their  children  about  the 
great  things  of  eternity  from  the  earliest  dawn  of  reason;  and 
as  soon  as  we  could  read,  the  holy  bible  was  put  into  our 
hands,  and  occasionally  they  would  make  us  read,  and  then 
explain  what  was  read  to  us,  especially  on  the  Sabbath  day. 
Our  father  was,  from  my  earliest  remembrance,  very  punctual 
in  the  observance  of  family  worship,  which  made  a  gradual  and 
deep  religious  impression  on  my  mind.  About  the  commence- 
ment of  my  fourteenth  year,  1  obtained  an  interest  in  the  merits 
of  our  blessed  Redeemer.  Shortly  after,  the  pastor  of  our 
church  baptized  a  younger  brother  in  our  family,  and,  in  the 
lapse  of  years,  I  had  baptized  two  more  of  my  brothers,  and 
our  sister,  together  with  my  own  wife,  as  also  the  husband  of 
my  sister,  prior  to  their  marriage.  In  our  late  revivals,  the 
heavenly  drops  of  divine  mercy  came  down  again  in  rich  pro 
fusion  upon  our  highly  favored  family.  And  the  last  of  my 
brothers,  four  sisters-in-law,  three  nieces  and  a  nephew,  the 
youngest  not  thirteen  years,  have  bowed  to  the  sceptre  of  King 
Jesus.  Our  aged  parents,  at  the  advanced  age  of  over  three- 
score and  ten,  are  in  good  health,  and  full  of  piety  and  good 
works,  waiting  for  a  gentle  dismission,  and  the  earnest  hope  of 
a  glorious  immortality,  and  a  place  at  the  right  hand  of  God, 
where  are  pleasures  forevermore." 

In  1786,  as  already  referred  to,  he  became  a  joyful  believer 
in  Christ,  and  sometime  during  the  next  year,  was  baptized  by 
his  uncle,  John  Waller,  and  united  with  the  church  at  Waller's, 
Spotsylvania.  When  his  brother  John  and  himself,  became 
the  subjects  of  conversion,  a  deep  impression  was  made  on  the 
mind  of  their  uncle  and  pastor,  that  John  was  designed  of  God 
to  become  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  Connected  with  this  im- 
pression, a  remarkable  incident  is  related.  Elder  John  Leland, 
who  then  resided  in  Virginia,  attended  a  meeting  at  which  he 
met  the  vouthful  brothers,  and  had  an  opportunity  of  hearing 
22 


250  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

them  both  lead  in  prayer.  After  rising  from  his  knees,  he  ap- 
peared thoughtful,  and  calling  the  attention  of  the  pastor,  said, 
"Brother  Waller,  you  are  deceived  in  your  impressions,  John 
will  never  preach,  but  that  little  white  headed  boy,"  pointing 
to  Absalom,  "will  be  the  preacher  in  your  flock."  For  several 
years  after  his  connexion  with  the  church,  Absalom  seems  to 
have  passed  through  sore  conflicts  with  the  great  adversary. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  imprudently  cherished  an  attach- 
ment to  an  irreligious  female,  who  proved  unfaithful  to  the 
pledges  she  had  given  him,  and  thus  the  connexion  was  pre- 
vented. In  relation  to  this  affair,  he  thus  speaks,  "When  I 
became  convinced  that  I  was  honorably  delivered  from  this 
snare,  1  felt  sweet  thankfulness  to  God,  whose  great  mercy 
had  wrought  deliverance  for  me.  I  had  calculated  on  settling 
myself  on  a  little  farm  detached  from  the  noise  of  this  busy 
world,  where  I  might  spend  my  days  in  the  shades  of  obscurity. 
This  was  the  scheme  1  had  honestly  formed,  but  God  foresaw 
the  evil  that  awaited  me,  dissolved  the  golden  enchantment, 
and  set  me  at  liberty." 

In  his  nineteenth  year,  he  became  deeply  concerned  for  the 
salvation  of  his  fellow  men,  and  impressed  with  the  conviction 
that  it  was  his  duty  to  devote  his  life  to  the  work  of  preaching 
the  gospel.  In  the  consideration  of  this  subject  he  suffered 
much  mental  anguish.  Numerous  objections  to  the  work 
were  suggested,  and  at  times  he  was  tempted  altogether  to 
abandon  it.  A  sense  of  duty  at  length  prevailed.  "I  was,' 
says  he,  "a  poor,  trembling,  doubting  creature  myself,  and  no 
way  calculated  to  instruct  others.  I  lacked  education,  and 
was  timid  to  an  extreme,  and  withal,  I  was  poor,  and  my  future 
subsistence  in  life  depended  on  my  attention  to  business  of 
some  kind;  but  these  objections  were  not  sufficient  to  extin- 
guish the  flame  which  was  burning  in  my  bosom.'' 

About  two  years  after,  he  was  publicly  set  apart  by  the 
church  to  the  work  of  preaching,  and  administering  the  ordi- 
nances of  the  gospel.  This  event  was  viewed  in  its  true  light 
as  one  of  the  most  solemn  and  important  which  could  occur  in 


ABSALOM    WALLER.  251 

the  whole  history  of  his  life.  It  was  preceded  by  deep  search- 
ings  of  heart,  and  prayer  to  God  for  direction.  That  man  gives 
but  little  evidence  of  a  call  to  the  ministry,  or  fitness  for  the 
work,  who  enters  upon  it  in  a  trifling  and  prayerless  spirit. 
The  state  of  Elder  Waller's  mind  will  be  indicated  by  the  re- 
ference which  he  afterwards  made  to  this  period  of  his  minis- 
terial career: 

"In  the  month  of  July,  1793,  a  motion  was  made  in  church 
meeting,  to  appoint  a  day  for  my  ordination  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  and  a  resolution  passed  that  the  business  should  be 
attended  to  in  August,  and  that  assistant  preachers  be  called 
in  for  the  purpose  of  ordination.  Although  the  church  was 
unanimous  in  making  this  order,  still  1  thought  it  premature, 
and  expressed  my  sentiments  to  that  efiect;  but  the  brethren 
appeared  decided  and  immovable  in  their  opinion  that  the  Lord 
had  most  assuredly  called  me  to  preach  his  gospel,  and  that  I 
ought  to  be  ordained,  and  fully  authorised  to  go  forward  in  the 
work.  I  spent  much  of  the  month  of  July  in  solemn  prayer 
and  meditation;  I  fasted  and  humbled  myself  greatly  before  a 
throne  of  grace.  The  language  of  my  heart  was,  O  Lord, 
thou  knowest  my  motives  and  desires,  if  I  am  actuated  by  any 
thing  short  of  an  humble  desire  for  the  salvation  of  sinners,  and 
the  advancement  of  thy  name's  glory,  I  beseech  thee  to  show 
it  me  and  I  will  seal  my  lips  in  silence.  The  presence  of  God 
was  with  me,  and  in  my  deepest  hours  of  retirement,  I  felt  his 
love  shining  like  a  sunbeam  in  my  soul.  I  became  convinced 
that  it  was  my  duty  to  preach  the  everlasting  gospel  to  poor, 
perishing  sinners.  What  could  I  say,  or  how  dare  I  become 
disobedient  to  the  heavenly  vision?  My  soul  was  humbled  into 
the  very  dust,  and  such  were  the  views  that  I  had  of  the  ex- 
cellency of  my  Master's  service,  that  if  crowns  and  sceptres 
had  be^n  presented  to  me,  I  should  have  looked  on  them  with 
contempt,  and  have  said,  'God  forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save 
in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.'  I  was  willing  to  for- 
sake parents,  brethren,  houses,  and  land,  yea,  all  for  Christ 
and  his  cause.     In   this  frame  of  mind    I  met   the    presbytery 


252  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

that  was  called  to  attend  my  ordination,  and  1  sat  as  a  little 
child  at  their  feet.  I  was  examined,  and  publicly  ordained  as 
an  assistant  minister  in  the  Baptist  church  at  Waller's,  when 
I  had  but  just  completed  my  twenty-first  year.  Directly  after 
my  ordination  I  went  into  the  pulpit,  and  preached  to  a  large 
audience  with  much  enjoyment.  How  marvelous  are  the 
works  of  God,  and   his  ways  past  finding  out.'' 

During  the  same  year  in  which  he  was  ordained,  his  uncle, 
Elder  John  Waller,  removed  with  his  family  to  South  Caro- 
lina. Three  or  four  churches  were,  in  consequence,  left  with- 
out an  under  shepherd.  But  the  great  Shepherd,  had  de- 
signed to  prepare  a  successor,  in  the  person  of  Absalom  Wal 
ler.  The  eye  of  the  destitute  churches  was  at  once  directed 
to  him  as  a  suitable  leader.  He  consented  to  take  the  over- 
sight of  Waller's,  County  Line,  and  Bethany,  and  for  many 
years  continued  to  labor  for  them. 

In  1808,  in  taking  a  brief  review  of  his  pastoral  life,  he 
thus  alludes  to  two  of  these  churches.  "The  congregation 
which  statedly  attended  my  ministerial  labors  at  County  Line, 
was  large,  and  independent  as  to  worldly  circumstances,  but 
the  provision  which  they  made  for  my  support,  as  a  minister 
of  the  gospel,  was  poor  indeed.  In  fifteen  years  1  received 
two  hundred  and  fourteen  dollars,  for  the  loss  of  my  time,  ex- 
pense of  clothing,  riding  horse,  &c.  If  the  laborer  is  worthy 
of  his  hire,  this  people  were  surely  unfaithful  to  me.  But  the 
Lord  will  determine  this  matter  at  a  future  day.  Notwith- 
standing the  neglect  of  the  brethren,  I  loved  them  tenderly, 
and  served  them  in  singleness  and  simplicity  of  heart.  Through 
all  my  sufferings,  the  church  at  Waller's  have  been  my  helpers, 
they  have  freely  administered  to  my  necessities,  and  have  as- 
sisted me  more  liberally  in  things  pertaining  to  this  life,  than 
all  other  churches  among  whom  I  have  gone  preaching  the 
gospel  of  Christ;  and  notwithstanding  my  own  meanness,  the 
king  of  saints  has  made  me  a  blessing  indeed  to  my  mother 
church.  I  have  seen  the  travail  of  my  Master's  soul,  and 
have  been  satisfied  therewith  among  my  brethren  at  Waller's*" 


ABSALOM    WALLER. 


253 


The  ministrations  of  Elder  Waller  were  much  prospered  of 
the  Lord,  particularly  at  the  church  at  Waller's.  Beside 
regular  additions  from  year  to  year,  several  revivals  of  religion 
were  enjoyed.  The  most  extensive  occurred  in  1817-'18, 
previous  to  which,  he  had  baptized  more  than  1,500  persons. 
In  1817,  after  a  season  of  much  discouragement,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  depressed  condition  of  the  churches,  he  enter- 
tained serious  thoughts  of  leaving  Virginia;  and,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  obtaining  the  most  desirable  situation,  he  spent  several 
months  in  travelling  through  the  western  states.  During  his 
absence,  he  was  the  subject  of  the  most  painfully  conflicting 
emotions,  concerning  the  course  he  ought  to  take.  He  repre- 
sents himself  as  entranced  with  the  idea,  that  when  comfortably 
settled  in  the  "land  of  corn  and  wine,"  he  should  never  more 
hear  from  child  or  servant — the  heart-rending  question,  what 
shall  we  do  for  bread?  But  a  whisper,  solemn  as  the  voice  of 
death,  inquired,  "and  with  whom  wilt  thou  leave  these  few 
sheep  in  the  wilderness?" 

"I  became  convinced,"  he  continues,  "it  was  not  the  will  of 
God  that  I  should  remove  from  my  native  state,  as  yet,  and 
that  perhaps  my  dear  Master  intended  to  make  me  the  bumble 
instrument,  in  his  hand,  of  bringing  lost  sinners  to  bow  to  the 
golden  sceptre  of  his  grace.  Delightful  thought,  indeed — 
'What,  to  be  the  mean,  in  the  hand  of  heaven,  of  bringing 
home  more  of  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel;'  and 
some  of  them  perhaps  from  among  my  kinfolks,  and  the  chil- 
dren of  my  old  brethren  and  sisters,  who  have  grown  up  under 
my  infant  ministry!  Lord,  it  is  enough.  I'll  tread  this  dirty 
world,  and  all  its  mean  appendages,  under  my  feet,  and  bear 
the  cross  of  my  divine  Master,  with  holy  zeal  and  fortitude. 
In  exercises  like  these,  I  reached  home,  and  found  my  family 
and  churches  safe:  I  had,  in  many  fervent  prayers,  committed 
them  to  the  care  of  heaven,  and,  finding  them  under  the  pro- 
tection of  my  great  and  good  Father,  and  ready  to  receive  me 
with  open  arms,  my  heart  was  overwhelmed  with  a  sense  of 
gratitude. 
22* 


254  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

"In  a  few  days  after  my  arrival  at  home,  Elder  G.  Hodgen 
and  W.  Warder,  on  their  return  from  the  Baptist  convention, 
in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  visited  the  church  at  Waller's,  and 
such  was  our  dulness,  that  very  few  attended  their  appointment. 
They  came,  however,  in  the  fullness  of  the  blessings  of  the 
gospel  of  Christ;  and  from  this  period  he  began  to  entertain 
an  humble  hope  that  the  set  time  to  favor  our  Zion  was  at 
hand." 

His  relation  of  the  various  exercises  of  his  own  mind  during 
the  progress  of  this  interesting  work,  will  exhibit  the  over- 
whelming concern  he  indulged  for  the  salvation  of  sinners,  and 
the  prosperity  of  the  churches.     The  following  is  an  extract: 

''In  the  middle  of  harvest,  the  ministers  before  named, 
came  among  us,  in  the  spirit  and  power  of  the  Lord  Jesus; 
and  afterwards  preached,  in  rotation,  four  or  five  times,  with 
all  the  simplicity  of  apostolic  zeal,  and  great  success,  to  vast 
crowds  of  people.  The  first  sermon  especially  by  Hodgen,  was 
a  master- piece;  (at  least  to  me;)  it  was  on  these  words:  'He 
that  goelh  forth  and  weepeth,  bearing  precious  seed,  shall  doubt- 
less come  again  rejoicing,  bringing  his  sheaves  with  him.'  I 
never  saw  his  face  before;  but  he  told  me  all  my  faults,  and 
sweetly  described  all  my  sorrows  and  my  joys. 

"•A  great  number  of  young  people  had  grown  up  under  my 
ministry  in  an  unconverted  state;  still  they  seemed  to  show 
me  very  great  respect;  if  they  were  to  be  married,  I  must  per- 
form the  ceremony;  if  they  were  sick,  I  must  visit  them.  One 
of  my  brothers  in  the  flesh,  and  four  amiable  sisters-in-law, 
were  in  the  state  of  fallen  nature;  for  these  I  had,  almost  times 
without  number,  prayed  and  wept  before  the  Lord  in  secret. 
But,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  when  the  set  time  to  visit  our 
people  came,  like  heavenly  sparks  from  the  skies,  I  was  un- 
prepared to  hail  the  rising  beams  of  the  eternal  sun  of  right- 
eousness. Having  been  formerly  engaged  in  several  precious 
revivals  of  religion,  I  was  no  stranger  to  the  labors  of  an  evan- 
gelist. Like  Jonah,  I  was  unwilling  to  run  at  the  divine  com- 
mand; and  while  the  worth  of  souls,    together  with  a  full  per- 


ABSALOM    WALLER.  255 

suasion  that  the  Lord  had  much  work  for  me  to  do,  was  pre- 
sented in  all  their  force  to  my  mind  by  day,  and  even  in  dreams 
at  Dight;  I  strove,  in  a  variety  of  ways,  to  excuse  myself. 
Several  pious  ministers,  who  frequented  the  meetings  of  the 
Kentucky  brethren,  informed  me  that  they  could  not  feel  any 
engagedness  in  the  work;  which  seemed  to  be  bursting  forth 
under  the  ministry  of  those  preachers.  This  tended  very  much 
to  strengthen  my  excuses  in  secret,  before  a  throne  of  grace; 
and  I  tried  to  believe  that  no  sacrifices  were  required  of  me  in 
the  work,  except  the  faithful  discharge  of  my  stated  labors  in 
the  Lord's  vineyard.  But  I  tried  in  vain!  My  distress  of  mind 
continued  to  increase,  from  an  inward  convictiui  that  I  was 
disposed  to  roll  in  the  lap  of  domestic  indolence,  while  the 
great  harvest  of  souls  was  ripening  for  the  active  laborer  all 
around  me;  until  I  became  fearful  it  would  settle  down  in  a 
fixed  melancholy.  Sometimes  I  would  endeavor  to  divert  my 
mind  by  the  conversation  of  a  loving  wife,  and  the  innocent 
prattle  of  our  children;  but  my  efforts  were  ineffectual.  1  was 
in  the  frequent  habit  of  retiring  into  a  grove  of  pines,  (where 
are  deposited  the  remains  of  many  of  my  relatives,  together 
with  two  of  my  own  children,)  for  the  purpose  of  prayer;  and 
having  one  cloudy  morning  felt  more  than  common  distress  in 
mind,  concerning  my  own  situation,  as  to  my  unwillingness  to 
forsake  all  for  Christ,  and  rush  into  the  great  harvest  of  souls, 
I  entered  my  usual  retreat,  for  the  solemn  purpose  of  seeking 
communion  with  God.  The  lowering  clouds,  the  thick  cluster 
of  pines,  as  also  the  graves  of  the  sleeping  dust,  seemed  greatly 
to  increase  the  spirit  of  devotion;  my  very  soul  was  lifted  in 
strong  cries  to  the  throne  of  mercy,  for  divine  instruction  con- 
cerning the  way  of  duty.  While  I  was  thus  engaged,  the 
thought  struck  me,  with  great  force  indeed,  that  the  souls  of 
my  dear  departed  children,  (near  whose  graves  I  was  then 
kneeling,)  were  at  that  moment  in  glory,  singing  the  praises  of 
the  Larnb  of  God,  who  died  for  the  redemption  of  lost  sinners! 
and  that  I  was  surely  a  most  ungrateful  wretch,  to  feel  unwill- 
ing to  spend  and  be  spent  in  the  cause  of  Christ!      1  am  una- 


256  BIOGRAPHY    or 

ble  to  describe  my  feelings  at  that  moment;  I  wept,  under  a 
sense  of  God's  goodness,  and  my  own  ingratitude — nay,  more, 
I  fell  on  my  face,  and  cried  out,  O  Lord!  send  me,  and  I  will 
go;  I  will  forsake  all  for  Christ,  and  try  to  spend  my  latest 
breath  in  exhorting  sinners  to  repent  and  turn  to  God. 

"Prior  to  the  association,  which  was  holden  on  the  first  Satur- 
day in  September  last,  between  thirty  and  forty  persons,  (mostly 
young  people,)  had  professed  to  find  pardon;  and  on  my  return 
from  the  association,  I  entered  the  great  fiold  of  ministerial  la- 
bor, and  in  the  course  of  the  five  succeeding  months,  I  deliver- 
ed over  one  hundred  discourses,  (chiefly  on  experimental  sub- 
jects,) to  crowds  of  weeping  sinners;  besides  a  great  number  of, 
exhortations;  and  very  few  rest  days  passed  without  my  being 
visited  by  some  person  under  deep  convictions  for  sin.  The 
constant  inquiry,  'What  shall  we  do?'  and  my  uniform  answer 
was,  'Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  you  shall  be 
saved.'  The  ordinance  of  baptism  was  regularly  administered 
once,  and  sometimes  as  often  as  thrice  a  week;  and  generally 
from  en  to  fifteen  were  baptized  at  a  time;  seveial  times  as 
many  as  twenty,  and  in  one  instance,  twenty-five  were  baptized. 
The  meetings  for  baptizing,  were  generally  attended  with 
abundant  displays  of  the  divine  presence,  as  well  as  those  ap- 
pointed for  hearing  the  exercises  of  the  new  converts." 

He  thus  describes  a  baptismal  scene:  "The  crowd  to-day  was 
immensely  great;  consequently  1  was  compelled  to  preach  in 
the  open  air;  however,  the  Lord  was  with  me,  and  while  I  had 
the  immense  concave  of  heaven  for  my  sounding  board,  1  was 
enabled  to  raise  my  trembling  voice,  and  preach  that  men  should 
repent  and  believe  the  gospel;  the  effect  was  great  indeed — 
many,  very  many,  were  on  their  knees,  begging  the  prayers  of 
God's  people  in  their  behalf.  The  church  convened  to  hear  ex- 
perience, and  six  were  received  as  candidates  for  baptism; 
among  this  number,  was  one  of  my  sisters-in-law,  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  my  eldest  brother.  O!  the  goodness  of  God  in  making 
me  the  humble  instrument  in  his  hand  to  the  conversion  of  my 
nearest  relatives? 


ABSALOM    WALLER.  257 

After  church  meeting  we  repaired  to  the  river;  the  place  was 
vastly  convenient  for  the  proper  arrangement  of  the  spectators; 
and  while  1  beheld  the  multitude  standing  in  solemn  order  on 
the  banks  of  the  river,  many  of  whom  were  in  tears,  I  was  re- 
minded of  the  banks  of  Jordan,  where  thousands  attended  the 
ministry  of  the  first  Baptist  that  ever  was  in  the  world.  The 
service  was  introduced  by  solemn  prayer  and  praise,  and  then 
commenced  a  most  heavenly  scene.  The  candidates  marched 
down  into  the  water  in  pairs,  singing  as  they  went,  the  high 
praises  of  God;  so  soon  as  they  were  baptized,  they  returned  in 
the  same  order;  and  to  behold  a  pair  of  lovely  children,  newly 
baptized,  meeting  the  welcome  embrace  of  their  weeping  and 
pious  parents,  on  the  bank,  afforded  a  feast  to  the  enraptured 
minds  of  God's  people,  which  I  am  unable  to  describe." 

At  another  time,  he  says:  "It  would  require  the  pen  of  an 
angel  to  describe  the  sensations  of  joy  and  gratitude  which  filled 
my  own  soul,  when  meeting  the  broken  hearted  sinner  at  a 
throne  of  mercy  on  the  floor,  after  sermon.  I  had  long  since 
been  watching  for  the  coming  of  the  Master  by  fervent  prayers, 
and  humble  groans;  and  now  to  behold  numbers  upon  their 
knees,  crying  out,  what  shall  we  do  to  be  saved?  produced  in 
my  enraptured  mind,  a  foretaste  of  those  immortal  pleasures 
which  bloom  in  the  paradise  of  God. 

"In  the  early  part  of  October,  the  cloud  of  mercy  began  to 
extend  itself  over  the  congregation  at  Bethany,  and  on  the 
third  Lord's  day,  in  the  morning,  1  commenced  the  precious 
work  of  baptizing  among  those  people;  fifteen  persons  were  on 
that  day  added  to  the  church.  The  revival  had  now  become 
general  in  three  churches,  and  having  none  to  help  me,  I  was 
almost  exhausted  in  the  fatigues  and  labors  of  the  vineyard, 
as  well  as  in  continual  watchings  by  night  and  by  day.  But 
the  Great  Head  in  Zion  was  with  me,  and  supported  my  feeble 
frame  beyond  conception,  so  that  the  months  of  September 
and  October  were  to  me  a  feast  upon  Mount  Tabar;  in  which 
I  preached  over  forty  discourses,  and  baptized  one  hundred 
and  forty-five  persons, 


258  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

Mr.  Waller  alludes  to  several  special  cases  of  conversion, 
some  of  which  may  properly  find  a  place  in  this  work:  "A 
young  gentleman  of  liberal  principles,  who  had  spent  a  morn- 
ing in  light  and  sarcastic  conversation  with  a  carnal  neighbor, 
on  the  subject  of  the  revival  of  religion,  on  his  return  home, 
stated  that  he  was  suddenly  seized  with  such  an  awful  sense  of 
his  lost  state,  and  the  omnipresence  of  God,  that  he  was  brought 
upon  his  knees  to  beg  for  mercy,  through  a  crucified  Saviour, 
and  from  this  period  he  became  an  attendant  on  public  worship, 
a  penitent  and  broken  hearted  sinner;  and  finally  he  obtained  a 
full  assurance  of  pardon  for  sin,  and  has  since  become  a  zealous 
member  of  the  church  which  he  once  despised. 

"Two  Christian  friends  entered  into  covenant  that  they  would 
unite  in  fervent  supplications  before  the  throne  of  grace  in  be- 
half of  a  thoughtless  acquaintance,  for  whom  they  entertained 
great  personal  respect;  and  to  their  great  joy  and  surprise,  in 
about  three  weeks  afterwards  the  gentleman  came  to  meeting — 
was  struck  to  the  heart  with  the  power  of  conviction  for  sin; 
together  with  his  lady.  They  have  both  since  become  mem- 
bers of  the  County  Line  church.  It  was  truly  a  melting  sight 
to  behold  him  leading  the  partner  of  his  earthly  joys  down  into 
the  watery  tomb,  while  tears  of  sweet  contrition  for  sin,  and 
humble  gratitude  to  God  for  his  pardoning  love,  through  a  di- 
vine Redeemer,  were  rolling  in  pearly  drops  down  his  manly 
cheeks. 

"The  family  of  an  old  member  in  the  County  Line  church  was 
favored  in  a  peculiar  manner  indeed.  He  had  three  lovely 
daughters,  who  were  all  converted  within  the  space  of  twenty- 
four  hours;  his  house  was  truly  another  bethel,  and  he  observed 
to  a  friend  shortly  after,  that  he  never  witnessed  so  much  of  the 
goodness  of  God  before.  In  the  midst  of  this  day  of  gospel 
jubilee,  while  streams  of  grace  were  pouring  down  in  rich  pro- 
fusion upon  this  highly  favored  family,  a  gentleman  who  had 
married  an  elder  sister  of  the  young  ladies,  and  who  had  just 
obtained  mercy,  having  heard  the  astonishing  news,  came  in 
haste  to  hear  the  particulars  of  the  case.     The  holy  raptures 


ABSALOM    WALLER.  259 

of  his  sisters-in-law  produced  such  a  powerful  effect  on  his  mind, 
that  he  rested  no  more,  until  he  found  peace,  by  the  application 
of  the  blood  of  the  cross;  and  since,  himself  and  his  wife  have 
become  pious  members  of  the  church. 

Elder  W.  did  not  confine  his  ministerial  labors  to  the 
churclies,  fur  which  he  statedly  preached,  but  made  extensive 
and  frequent  tours  in  almost  every  direction.  There  is  reason 
to  believe  the  seed  thus  sown  was  productive  of  fruit  unto 
eternal  life.  The  following  interesting  selection  from  his  jour- 
nal, is  inserted  to  illustrate  tlie  state  of  his  mind  in  one  of  these 
excursions.  "We  went  to  the  house  of  prayer,  and  I  preached 
from  Heb.  vi,  20,  21,  to  the  multitude.  About  the  middle  of  my 
discourse,  the  fire  of  the  Lord  began  to  kindle,  and  gently  in- 
creased, until  it  burst  into  a  (lame,  which  appeared  to  fill  the 
whole  house;  saints  rejoiced,  and  sinners  trembled!  O  what  a 
heaven  of  divine  love  we  felt.   We  remained  at  the  meeting  house 

until  a  late   hour,  then  adjourned  to  the  dwelling  of  Mr. , 

directly  on  the  sea  coast,  dined  and  preached  again  to  a  great 
crowd,  heard  experiences,  and  at  10  o'clock,  P.  M.,  went  down 
to  the  water,  which  was  about  a  stone's  cast,  carrying  with  us 
many  lights;  here  1  again  exhorted  a  considerable  while,  in  the 
audience  of  a  solemn,  weeping  multitude. 

"Reader  you  can  hardly  form  an  idea,  of  this  grand  and 
awful  scene.  Fancy  to  yourself  five  hundred  persons  stand- 
ing on  the  sand  in  silent  awe;  the  proud  waves  of  the  sea  lulled 
to  sleep  in  the  deep  shades  of  night;  and  not  a  breeze  stirring  to 
disturb  the  smooth  surface  of  the  water.  Numerous  lights  dis- 
tributed among  the  crowd,  the  mild  radiance  of  the  moon,  and 
ten  thousand  stars  all  conspired  to  render  the  season  grand  and 
impressive.  As  I  went  down  into  the  water,  my  heart  filled 
with  the  delightful  idea  that  the  Saviour,  who  himself  was  bap- 
tized in  Jordan,  to  fulfil  all  righteousness,  was  present  by  his 
Spirit,  beholding  our  order  and  obedience.  Seven  persons  were 
buried  with  Christ,  most  of  whom  came  up  out  of  the  water 
rejoicing  like  the  jailor  and  his  house,  who  were  baptized  the 
same  hour  of  the  night." 


260  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

Mr.  Waller's  numerous  and  pressing  ministerial  duties,  cort> 
nected  with  the  care  of  a  growing  family,  must  have  required 
unremitted  toil.  It  would  appear  that  while  his  soul  was  ab- 
sorbed  in  the  great  work  to  which  his  Master  had  called  him, 
he  did  not  neglect  to  provide  for  his  own  household.  From  his 
earliest  devotion  to  the  ministry,  he  was  accustomed  often  to 
preach,  from  four  to  five  times  in  the  week,  beside  performing 
labor  on  his  farm,  and  spending  some  time  in  study.  Speaking 
on  this  subject,  he  says,  "It  must  not  be  supposed  that  I  wholly 
neglected  my  family  concerns;  for  the  most  part  I  rode  home 
every  evening,  spent  often  most  of  the  night  in  reading,  medita- 
tion, and  prayer,  and  would  rise  with  the  dawn  of  day,  attend 
to  all  my  temporal  affairs,  making  the  best  arrangements  I 
could,  and  then  ride  perhaps  eight  or  ten  miles  to  meeting."  This 
last  quotation  will  lead  to  the  mention  of  his  views  in  reference 
to  ministerial  improvement.  He  labored  under  the  continual 
consciousness  of  deficiency,  and  applied  himself  with  becoming 
diligence,  that  he  might  be  a  workman  needing  not  to  be 
ashamed;  rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth.  He  was  not 
possessed  of  extensive  literary  attainments,  but  he  sought  as 
far  as  possible,  after  his  entrance  into  the  ministry,  to  obtain 
them.  Had  the  facilities  which  are  now  enjoyed  by  young  min- 
isters, been  at  hand,  he  would  doubtless  have  obtained  an  educa- 
tion. To  some  extent  he  prosecuted  the  study  of  the  Latin  lan- 
guage, but  how  far  he  succeeded  in  its  acquisition,  is  not  distinctly 
known.  The  following  paragraph,  shows  his  sentiments  on  the 
importance  of  an  elevated  standard  of  ministerial  improvement: 

"The  pastor  who  is  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty 
must  devote  much  of  his  time  to  &tudy,  reading  and  prayer; 
otherwise,  he  cannot  expect  to  profit  his  flock.  He  must  strive 
to  become  mighty  in  the  holy  scriptures,  that  he  may  be  able 
rightly  to  divide  the  word  of  truth;  and  unless  he  devotes 
himself  wholly  to  the  work  of  an  evangelist,  he  will  prove  a 
burthen  to  himself  as  well  as  his  hearers.  It  is  a  lamentable 
mistake  which  some  Christians  labor  under,  in  supposing,  that 
because  the  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit  is  promised  unto  the  Lord's 


ABSALOM    WALLER.  261 

ministers,  there  is  no  necessity  for  them  to  read  and  study.  A 
minister  who  falls  into  this  delusion,  is  very  apt  to  become  cold 
and  formal  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty,  and  an  Antinomian  in 
principle.'' 

At  another  time  he  says,  "the  minister  of  Christ  should  be 
sound  in  the  faith  of  God's  elect,  and  established  in  the  truths 
of  the  gospel,  that  he  may  be  able  to  feed  and  comfort  his 
flock:  he  should  spend  much  of  his  time  upon  his  knees,  in 
supplication  to  God  for  the  people  of  his  charge,  and  for  a  di- 
vine blessing  upon  his  labors.  He  should  not  be  satisfied  with 
dry  and  formal  services  m  the  pulpit;  but  he  ought  to  covet 
earnestly  the  best  gifts,  and  labor,  night  and  day,  to  become  a 
scribe  well  instructed  in  the  mysteries  of  gospel  grace,  that  he 
might  bring  forth  from  his  treasure  things  both  new  and  old, 
for  the  establishment  of  the  saints  in  their  most  holy  faith, 
and  for  the  conviction  of  lost  sinners.  The  church  is  very 
soon  reduced  to  cold  and  declining  circumstances,  when  her 
pastor  is  satisfied  with  telling  his  own  experience,  and  travelling 
over  his  old  ground,  once  or  twice  a  month.  While  it  is  all  im- 
portant that  a  pastor  should  look  to  God  for  aid  in  preaching  to 
his  flock,  it  is  also  highly  necessary,  that  he  should  be  unceas- 
ingly engaged  in   accumulating  a  fund  of  divine  knowledge.'' 

His  views  of  pastoral  labor  were  sound  and  scriptural.  Tt  is 
much  to  be  regretted  that  many  of  those  who  undertake  the 
work  of  an  overseer,  over  the  house  of  God,  have  no  just  con- 
ceptions of  their  responsibility.  Elder  W.  remarks,  "The 
pastoral  duties  are  not  confined  merely  to  public  preaching.  It 
is  the  duty  of  a  pastor  to  visit  his  people;  to  comfort  those 
that  are  in  affliction;  to  weep  with  those  that  weep;  and  to  re- 
joice with  those  that  rejoice.  He  should  warn  them  that  are 
unruly — strengthen  the  feeble  minded;  and  in  all  things  en- 
deavor to  be  to  his  flock  an  example  of  meekness,  humility, 
and  temperance.  In  the  government  of  the  church  he  should 
exercise  no  authority,  save  the  counsel  of  a  tender  father;  and 
as  a  member,  he  should  be  subject  to  the  watchful  care  and 
discipline  of  the  church.  He  should  administer  the  ordinances 
23 


262  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

and  exhort  the  members  to  a  faithful  discharge  of  their  duty, 
both  in  the  house  of  God,  and  in  their  families,  as  well  as  in 
all  their  transactions  before  the  world.'' 

Nor  were  the  views  he  entertained  of  the  obligation  of  the 
church,  to  provide  for  the  support  of  her  pastor,  less  judicious, 
and  consistent  with  the  word  of  God.  He  remarks,  "the 
church  should  pay  particular  attention  to  the  temporal  support 
of  her  pastor.  She  should  endeavor,  a3  far  as  the  means  are 
in  her  power,  to  disengage  his  mind  from  the  perplexing  cares 
of  his  family,  in  order  that  he  may  give  himself  up  to  the 
ministry  of  the  word  of  life.  The  Lord  hath  ordained,  that 
they  who  preach  the  gospel,  should  live  of  the  gospel.  It  is, 
undoubtedly,  the  duty  of  every  member,  to  contribute  toward 
the  support  of  his  pastor,  as  the  Lord  hath  prospered  him. 
But  while  we  conceive  that  it  is  the  privilege  of  a  pastor,  to 
withdraw  his  services  from  a  church  that  is  able,  and  yet  will 
make  no  exertions  for  his  support,  still  we  believe,  that  the 
church  is  not  justifiable,  in  resorting  to  any  other  means  than 
those  of  voluntary  contributions,  for  the  support  of  her  minis- 
ter. Those  who  give,  should  give  willingly,  and  from  a  sense 
of  duty;  that  they  may  receive  the  blessing  arising  from  a 
faithful  discharge  of  duty.  We  apprehend  that  this  is  a  sore 
evil  amongst  us.  Churches  neglect  the  support  of  their  pas- 
tors, and  the  pastors  are  obliged  to  turn  their  attention  to  pro- 
viding bread  for  their  families,  and  thus  the  cause  of  religion 
languishes. 

"There  are  many  professors  who  say,  that  if  a  minister  is 
a  poor  dependent  character,  then  it  is  our  duty  to  assist  him; 
but  if  he  is  otherwise,  or  in  good  circumstances,  let  him  shift 
for  himself.  This  excuse,  reminds  me  of  a  remark  which  I 
once  heard  fall  from  the  lips  of  a  poor  old  Baptist  preacher, 
who  had  been  in  poverty  all  his  days — he  said,  that  after  having 
tried  to  preach  the  gospel  forty  years,  he  could  safely  say 
that  he  never  received  forty  shillings  for  preaching  in  his 
life!  He  is  since  dead,  and  a  neighbor  of  his  observed  to  me 
in  a  few  months  after  his  exit,  (speaking  of  the  dear  old  disci- 


ABSALOM    WALLER.  2G3 

pie,)  'We  never  knew  what  a  treasure  we  possessed,  until  we 
lost  him.'  The  time  of  retribution  will  surely  come,  and  the 
congregation,  or  church,  that  lives  in  the  habit  of  closing 
every  door  of  temporal  support  against  the  man  who  watches 
over  their  spiritual  interest,  have  reason  to  fear  the  judgments 
of  an  angry  God,  who  visits  the  sins  of  the  fathers,  upon  the 
children  even  unto  the  third  and  fourth  generation  of  them 
that  hate  him;  while  he  shows  mere}'  unto  the  thousands  that 
love  him  and  keep  his  commandments." 

The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  not  unmindful  of  his  per- 
sonal obligations,  nor  did  he  fail  himself,  to  grow  in  grace  and 
in  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ.  "How  great  said  he,  is 
the  responsibility  of  those  who  preach  the  gospel!  They 
watch  for  souls  as  those  who  must  give  account,  at  the  great 
tribunal.  O  how  tremendous  the  thought  of  being  there  pro- 
nounced an  idle  and  unprofitable  servant.''  Thus,  contemplat- 
ing his  solemn  responsibilities,  he  continued  to  the  close  of  life, 
steadfastly  adhering  to  the  service  of  his  Lord.  He  made  such 
full  proof  of  his  ministry,  that  among  his  brethren  he  was  re- 
garded with  high  esteem,  and  towards  the  close  of  life,  with  ven- 
eration. For  many  years  he  was  afflicted  with  partial  deafness, 
and  consequently  found  it  difficult  to  engage  in  conversation; 
yet  his  opinion  on  difficult   subjects  was  frequently  consulted. 

His  death  occurred  not  far  from  1820.  The  summons  did 
not  surprize  him.  He  had  long  been  in  readiness  for  his  dis- 
mission. The  following,  written  some  years  before  his  death, 
expresses  the  feelings  which  he  seemed  habitually  to  cherish, 
and  which  were  peculiarly  manifest  in  the  closing  hour.  He 
remarks,  "O  how  near  is  the  period  when  these  active  limbs 
will  slumber  in  the  grave,  the  land  of  silence,  forever  to  rest. 
Forever  did  I  say!  No,  death,  cruel  death,  thou  mayest  triumph 
for  a  season  and  lock  my  bones  in  the  prison  of  the  grave,  but 
Jesus  will  come,  and  will  be  thy  plague,  and  thy  destruction; 
I  shall  hear  his  voice,  and  come  forth  from  thine  iron  domains, 
and  feeling  in  an  instant  the  springs  of  an  immortal  body,  I 
shall  rise  to  meet  him  in  the  air.'' 


264  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

The  period  of  his  dissolution  was  indeed  an  hour  of  peace 
and  joy.  He  looked  on  the  grave  not  only  with  composure  but 
triumph.  He  knew  that  his  Redeemer  lived,  and  felt  happy 
in  the  prospect  of  beholding  his  face  in  righteousness.  His 
attendant  physician,  was  much  affected  with  the  rational  and 
elevated  joy  which  he  evinced  as  he  walked  through  the  val- 
ley of  the  shadow  of  death. 


HENRY    T  0  L  E  R , 

The  date  of  Elder  Toler's  birth  is  not  known.  He  was  a 
a  native  of  King  and  Queen,  and  remained  in  that  county  until 
he  reached  manhood.  His  parents  who  were  respectable,  gave 
him  such  an  education  only  as  the  common  schools  of  the  county 
afforded.  Under  the  ministry  of  Elder  John  Courtney,  he  re- 
ceived in  very  early  life  his  first  religious  impressions,  and  these 
impressions  continued  to  increase  until  they  ultimated  in  a  sav- 
ing acquaintance  with  God's  plan  of  salvation.  He  became  a 
member  of  the  Upper  College  church,  and  soon  began  to  speak 
in  public.  Such  were  the  indications  of  genius,  that  he  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  counsellor  Robert  Carter,  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  church,  and  among  the  wealthiest  men  in  Va.  Mr. 
Carter  was  so  much  pleased  with  young  Toler,  that  he  prevail- 
ed on  him  to  remove  to  Pennsylvania,  for  the  purpose  of  im- 
proving his  mind  under  the  tuition  of  Dr.  Samuel  Jones,  and 
generously  contributed  the  necessary  funds  for  his  support. 

While  at  school,  this  young  disciple  applied  himself  to  his 
studies  with  becoming  diligence.  He  made  rapid  proficiency 
in  those  branches  of  learning  which  occupied  his  attention. 
Having  remained  at  school  about  three  years,  he  returned  to 
his  native  county,  greatly  improved  in  all  respects.  Shortly 
after,  he  was  ordained.  His  whole  time  was  now  consecrat- 
ed to  the  delightful  employ  of  preaching  Christ  and  him  cruci- 
fied.     Nor  did  he  spend  his  strength  for  naught:   in  various 


HENRY    TOLER.  265 

directions  the  Lord  accompanied  his  ministry  with  almighty 
energy,  and  made  it  his  wisdom  and  power  unto  salvation. 
Having  preached  with  much  acceptance  in  the  county  of  King 
George,  in  1783,  he  was  invited  statedly  to  visit  them.  He 
ultimately  settled  in  that  county.  After  his  removal,  he  con- 
sented, at  the  urgent  solicitation  of  a  pious  lady,  to  preach  in 
Westmoreland.  At  this  period,  there  were  but  two  Baptists 
in  the  county,  and  they  were  females.  The  results  of  this  vis- 
it, and  of  his  future  labors  there,  are  thus  narrated  by  Elder 
Semple,  in  his  history  of  Nomini  church:  "In  1783,  Elder 
Toler  was  invited  by  an  old  lady,  who  had  been  baptized  by 
Mr.  Luofiford,  to  preach  in  the  neighborhood  of  Nomini;  he 
went,  and  but  few  people  attended;  these  were  distant  and  re- 
served; none,  but  a  very  poor  man,  invited  him  to  his  house; 
yet,  how  unsearchable  are  the  ways  of  God!  This  meeting 
was  the  beginning  of  great  events,  as  it  respects  this  neighbor- 
hood. Light  dawneJ;  the  prejudices  of  the  people  wore  off; 
several  persons  of  different  classes  were  converted  and  baptiz- 
ed. This,  says  Mr.  Toler,  teas  a  gracious,  glorious,  pleasant 
time.  Those  who  had  been  baptized  by  Mr.  Toler,  together 
with  a  few  others,  who  had  been  baptized  previous  to  his  com- 
ing, were  formed  into  a  church,  April  29,  178G,  having  in  all 
seventeen  members.  Elder  Toler  was  chosen  to  attend  them 
as  pastor,  and  in  a  year  or  two  moved  here  to  live. 

"On  the  same  day  after  the  constitution  of  the  church,  five 
others  were  baptized;  and,  at  the  end  of  this  year,  the  number 
was  seventy-three.  In  '87,  it  increased  to  one  hundred  and 
nineteen.  In  '88,  to  two  hundred  and  twenty-two.  In  '89, 
to  three  hundred.  In  '90,  to  three  hundred  and  thirty-one. 
In  '91,  to  three  hundred  and  forty-eight.  In  '92,  to  three 
hundred  and  fifty-four.  In  '93,  to  three  hundred  and  fifty- 
seven.  In  '94,  to  three  hundred  and  sixty-seven.  In  '95, 
to  four  hundred  and  eight.  In  1806,  the  work  of  God  again 
appeared.  In  a  small  time,  it  spread  to  an  extent  beyond  the 
former  revival.  In  three  months,  ninety  were  baptized,  and 
at  various  times,  thirty,  forty,  fifty,  and  sixty,  were  baptized 
23* 


266  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

at  once,  so  that  from  first  to  last,  in  this  revival,  there  were 
added  between  five  and  six  hundred,  bringing  the  number  up  to 
eight  hundred  and  seventy-five.  This  was  the  most  numer- 
ous church  in  Virginia.'' 

By  this  extract,  the  reader  will  learn  something  of  the  heav- 
enly influence  which  attended  the  ministrations  of  Elder  To- 
ler  in  the  county  of  Westmoreland.  There  are  yet  living  sev- 
eral persons  who  were  the  subjects  of  God's  grace  in  those 
revivals.  By  them  the  memory  of  their  father  in  the  gospel, 
is  greatly  revered.  They  still  love  to  speak  of  those  solemn 
seasons,  when  the  majesty  and  glory  of  the  Redeemer  were 
displayed  in  subduing  his  proudest  foes,  and  in  making  the 
cause  of  truth  and  righteousness  triumphant,  where  sin  once 
fearfully  abounded.  An  aged  brother,  now  connected  with 
the  Nomini  church,  in  referring  to  the  introduction  of  the  gos- 
pel in  his  own  vicinity,  by  Elder  Toler,  thus  describes  the  par- 
ticulars of  his  own  conversion.  Having  spoken  of  a  journey 
he  had  taken  to  the  south,  he  says,  "On  my  return  from  Caro- 
lina, it  appeared  to  me  that  the  world  was  turned  upside  down. 
I  found  the  whole  family  alarmed,  and  earnestly  inquiring 
what  they  should  do  to  be  saved;  my  wife  and  a  favorite  ser- 
vant man,  became  deeply  concerned,  and  I  was  left  alone;  my 
prejudice  and  enmity  were  raised  to  the  utmost  height.  Though 
1  would  not  go  to  meeting,  I  never  had  opposed  my  wife  and 
servant.  I  began  to  hate  Mr.  Toler  as  the  destroyer  of  my  peace. 
Mr.  Pierce  and  some  of  his  children,  professed  to  be  converted, 
and  were  baptized,  among  then!  my  servant  man.  When  they 
told  me  of  his  cohverson,  I  thought  he  was  ruined,  and  would 
have  parted  with  him  for  a  trifle.  Cupit  commenced  exhort- 
ing his  colored  brethren;  I  could  hear  him  at  all  hours  of  the 
night  singing,  and  it  tormented  me.  On  a  Sunday  night,  I 
heard  a  loud  talking  in  the  kitchen,  and  went  round  to  the 
back  of  the  house  to  listen,  and,  lo,  he  was  lamenting  his 
poor  master's  situation,  that  if  he  died  unconverted,  he  would 
be  eternally  miserable;  it  raised  my  anger  to  such  a  pitch,  I 
came  to  the  resolution  that  I  would,  the  next  morning,  chastise 


HENRY    TOLER.  267 

him  for  his  insolence.  Thus,  I  returned,  and  went  to  bed;  I 
have  often  wondered  at  the  goodness  and  forbearance  of  God. 
In  the  morning,  by  light,  I  took  my  whip,  and  went  to  the 
stable,  determined,  to  execute  my  threat.  The  moment  I  set 
my  foot  on  the  sill  of  the  door,  I  caught  his  eye  fixed  on  me; 
he  was  a  very  humble  man;  master,  says  he,  I  hope  you  wont  be 
angry;  I  want  to  talk  with  you.  I  was  disarmed  in  a  moment, 
and  told  him,  he  might  say  what  he  pleased;  I  dropt  my  whip, 
and  have  never  seen  it  since.  He  commenced  with  his  ex- 
perience, (the  first.  I  had  ever  heard,)  I  found  something  work- 
ing in  my  heart,  that  I  had  never  felt  before,  assenting  to  the 
truth  of  what  he  said.  1  was  thoroughly  convinced  that  if  1 
died  without  just  such  religion  as  Cupit  had  experienced,  I 
should  be  miserable  forever;  he  broke  out  in  a  warm  exhorta- 
tion, and  I  was  obliged  to  turn  away,  lest  Cupit  should  see  my 
tears.  1  returned  to  the  house,  and  told  my  wife,  if  she  would 
get  the  bible  and  call  the  family  together,  I  would  try  to  wor- 
ship God.     This  was  joyful  news  to  her.'' 

The  labors  of  Mr.  T.  were  not  confined  to  the  county  of 
Westmoreland.  He  travelled  extensively  in  the  upper  coun- 
ties and  below  in  the  Northern  neck,  as  well  as  between  the 
York  and  Rappahannock  rivers.  In  these  journeys  he  was 
excessively  laborious.  "Few  preachers,"  says  Elder  Semple, 
"having  families,  have  been  more  indefatigable  in  proclaiming 
the  gospel  than  Mr.  Toler."  Between  himself  and  Elder 
Lunsford;  there  was,  for  many  years,  a  most  endearing  inti- 
macy. They  labored  much  together.  When  Lunsford  was 
taken  to  his  reward  in  heaven,  it  became  Elder  Toler's 
mournful  duty  to  preach  a  funeral  discourse  at  two  different 
places;  one  was  delivered  at  Kilmarnock  meeting  house,  Lan- 
caster county,  and  the  other  in  Essex,  the  county  in  which  he 
died.     These  sermons  were  afterwards  published. 

At  the  annual  meetings  of  the  Dover  Association,  Elder  T. 
was  usually  required  to  take  a  prominent  part.  "I  do  not  think," 
says  one  who  knew  him  well,  "that  he  ever  failed  to  attend  the 
association."     For  several  years  he  was  appointed  their  clerk, 


208  BIOGRAI>HV    OP 

and  frequently  was  chosen  to  preach  on  Lord's  day.  Some  of 
the  circular  letters  issued  by  this  body,  were  written  by  him. 

Notwithstanding  his  successful  labors  in  Westmoreland,  and 
his  high  repute  as  a  preacher,  it  is  melancholy  to  state,  that 
those  for  whose  spiritual  benefit  he  labored,  did  not  suitably 
contribute  to  his  temporal  support.  On  this  account  he  was 
compelled  to  remove.  He  purchased  a  farm  in  Fairfax,  but 
finding  himself  unable  to  pay  for  it,  he  relinquished  his  title, 
and  removed  west  of  the  Blue-ridge.  Thence  he  emigrated 
to  Kentucky.  Thus  the  claims  of  a  dependent  family  obliged 
him  to  seek  a  home  among  strangers.  In  adopting  this  course 
he  followed  the  example  of  many  of  the  most  talented  and 
pious  Virginia  ministers,  who  remained  in  their  much  loved 
native  state,  preaching  for  churches  without  a  just  remunera- 
tion, until  they  were  driven  to  find  a  livelihood  in  the  rich 
lands  of  the  west. 

On  this  subject  he  thus  speaks:  "Much  is  required  at  the 
hands  of  ministers,  without  regard  to  their  inconveniences  or 
sufferings;  and  for  all  their  services  they  may  sometimes  re- 
ceive the  extraordinary  reward  of  a  little  lifeless  praise,  and  if 
they  choose  it,  a  rich  Sunday-dinner.  If  they  should  not  ap- 
pear well  dressed,  they  are  blamed  as  lazy  slovens,  although 
they  have  little  or  no  time  to  work  for  themselves;  and  if  they 
struggle  hard  and  furnish  themselves  by  their  own  industry,  it 
is  either  said  their  accommodations  are  too  good  for  them,  or 
that  they  can  very  well  shift  for  themselves,  and  serve  others 
day  and  night  too." 

This  neglect  of  ministerial  support  has  been  the  standing  re- 
proach of  Virginia  Baptists.  To  this  is  to  be  attributed  the  fact, 
that  the  labors  of  each  of  those  who  remain  are  necessarily  di- 
vided among  three  or  four  churches.  Even,  when  this  divis- 
ion has  been  allowed,  the  minister  gives  most  of  his  time  and 
attention  to  secular  concerns,  to  save  his  family  from  want,  and 
preaches  mostly  on  Lord's  day,  to  the  churches  he  serves. 
The  pastoral  office  has  been  reduced  to  a  mere  name.  Even 
in  preaching  the  gospel,  the  mind  becomes  so  much  secularized, 


HENRY    TOLER.  209 

that  it  is  disqualified  for  entering  upon  the  work  with  becoming 
energy.  It  is  strange  that  the  duty  of  providing  for  the  neces- 
sities of  their  pastors,  should  have  been  so  long  neglected  by 
our  brethren,  especially  as  this  obligation  is  obviously  au- 
thorized by  the  word  of  God.  May  it  be  the  determination  of 
all  the  churches  no  longer  to  allow  such  guilt  to  be  indulged. 
They  should  at  once  place  their  pastor  in  circumstances  of 
comfort,  and  require  of  them  their  entire  services.  Then  would 
sufficient  time  be  allowed  to  "give  attention  to  reading,''  to 
visit  from  house  to  house,  to  "reprove,  rebuke,  and  exhort 
with  all  long  suffering  and  doctrine.'' 

To  the  remissness,  of  which  mention  is  here  made,  there 
have  been  some  honorable  exceptions.  A  few  individuals,  who 
highly  prized  the  labors  of  Elder  T.,  contributed  what  they 
could  for  his  support.  A  pious  female,  connected  with  the 
Nomini  church,  at  her  death,  left  the  sum  of  ten  pounds,  to  be 
annually  applied  to  his  benefit  as  long  as  he  retained  his  pas- 
toral relation. 

Concerning  his  talents  as  a  preacher,  it  may  be  said,  that 
they  were  above  mediocrity.  He  was  not  as  remarkable  for 
vigor  as  sprightliness  of  mind.  His  style,  though  not  distin- 
guished for  clearness,  was  flowing,  and  his  manner  usually  ani- 
mated. He  delighted  much  to  dwell  on  those  sentiments  of 
the  word  of  God,  which  tended  to  abase  man  and  exalt  the 
character  of  Christ.  Respecting  the  extent  and  success  of  his 
labors  after  he  migrated  to  Kentucky,  nothing  has  been  ascer- 
tained by  the  biographer.  It  is  known,  however,  that  he  be- 
came pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Versailes,  which  position 
he  occupied  at  the  time  of  his  death.  His  decease  took  place 
in  March,  1824. 


ROBERT     B,    SEMPLE 


Robert  Baylor  Semite  was  of  Scotch  descent.    His  father, 
John  Semple,  who  emigrated  to  this  country  in  early  life,  was 


270  BIOGRAPHY     OF 

one  of  thirteen  children,  and  the  son  of  very  wealthy  parents. 
According  to  the  custom  of  the  old  country,  his  eldest  son  in- 
herited the  whole  estate,  while  the  others  received  as  their  only 
patrimony,  a  liberal  education.  Two  of  the  younger  sons,  John 
and  James,  came  to  America,  and  settled  in  Virginia.  James 
became  a  clergyman  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  was  the 
father  of  the  late  lamented  Judge  Semple  of  Williamsburg.  John 
Semple  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law,  and  after  the  acquisi- 
tion of  a  large  property  from  his  profession,  married  Elizabeth 
Walker,  in  1761. 

R.  B.  Semple,  their  youngest  son,  was  born  at  Rose  Mount, 
King  and  Queen  county,  Jan.  20,  1769.  His  father  died  when 
Robert  was  only  twelve  months  old.  By  this  event,  Mrs. 
Semple  was  left  with  four  children,  nearly  pennyless.  Having 
become  security  on  behalf  of  several  friends  for  a  large  amount, 
the  ample  estate  which  had  been  accumulated,  was  nearly  all  re- 
quired to  meet  the  claims  of  creditors.  The  wreck  which  was 
left  after  the  payment  of  debts,  was  bequeathed  to  the  eldest  son, 
while  Robert  inherited  nothing  but  the  affectionate  regard  and 
guidance  of  his  surviving  parent,  "with,"  as  he  used  afterwards 
to  say,  "the  wide  world  to  seek  his  fortune  in.''  This  depres- 
sion in  the  external  circumstances  of  his  family  may  have  been 
one  of  the  necessary  links  in  that  chain  of  events  by  which 
God  intended  to  magnify  the  riches  of  his  providence  and  grace, 
in  calling  him  from  darkness  to  light,  and  in  making  him  the 
instrument  of  spiritual  good  to  hundreds  of  his  race. 

Mrs.  Semple  was  a  rigid  adherent  of  the  established  church, 
and  left  no  means  untried  in  endeavoring  to  instil  into  the  minds 
of  her  children,  the  principles  she  had  imbibed.  They  were 
regularly  taken  to  public  worship,  and  accustomed  to  all  the 
forms  of  the  church.  Such  was  Robert's  attention  to  the  ex- 
ternals of  religion,  when  still  a  youth,  that  both  his  friends  and 
he,  had  formed  a  high  estimate  of  his  attainments  in  piety. 
After  he  became  a  converted  man,  and  a  minister,  he  was  heard 
frequently  to  allude  to  the  influence  which  these  early  instruc- 
tions produced   on  his  mind.     Though  pharisaical    pride  was 


K0BERT    B.    SEMPLE.  271 

indulged,  and  his  heart  remained  for  a  length  of  time  unchang- 
ed, yet  he  always  considered  that  the  religious  habits  he  formed, 
in  the  beginning  of  life,  resulted  in  keeping  his  conscience  tender, 
and  prevented  him  from  running  into  the  vortex  of  scepticism. 

When  quite  young,  he  was  placed  at  school  with  a  Mr. 
Taylor;  as  his  mother  cherished  a  peculiar  anxiety  to  give  him 
a  good  education.  The  late  Rev.  Peter  Nelson,  known  through- 
out lower  Virginia,  as  one  of  the  most  distinguished  teachers 
of  the  state,  was  afterwards  his  preceptor.  When  Mr.  Nelson 
removed  to  the  Forks  of  Hanover,  and  established  an  academy, 
Robert's  mother,  unable  to  sustain  the  expense  of  boarding  and 
tuition,  began  to  apprehend  that  she  must  decline  the  purpose  of 
educating  her  son,  excepting  so  far  as  an  opportunity  might 
be  allowed  by  the  common  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  But 
Mr.  Nelson  discovering  in  his  young  pupil,  much  sprightliness, 
and  a  considerable  aptitude  for  the  acquisition  of  knowledge, 
magnanimously  tendered  to  him  his  board  and  tuition,  free  of 
expense.  With  Mr.  Nelson  he  studied  the  Latin  and  Greek 
languages,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  he  had  made  such  pro- 
ficiency, as  to  become  a  most  valuable  assistant  teacher  in  the 
academy. 

Having  finished  the  course  of  studies,  prescribed  at  the  acad- 
emy, he  was  recommended  by  his  tutor  and  friend,  as  well 
qualified  to  conduct  the  education  of  youth,  and  obtained  a 
situation  in  a  private  family.  Here  he  commenced  the  study 
of  law.  No  one  acquainted  with  his  natural  vigor  of  mind, 
and  his  powers  of  discrimination,  could  doubt,  that  in  this  pro- 
fession he  might  have  risen  to  distinguished  eminence.  But  he 
who  has  the  hearts  of  all  men  in  his  hands,  had  determined  to 
elevate  him  to  a  distinction  still  higher,  by  calling  him  to  the 
work  of  preaching  the  everlasting  gospel.  His  was  to  be  the 
noble  work  of  vindicating  the  ways  of  God  to  man,  and  to 
plead  with  guilty  rebels,  to  be  reconciled  to  their  sovereign. 
While  prosecuting  his  studies,  preparatory  to  the  practice  of 
law,  notwithstanding  the  influence  of  maternal  instruction,  he 
became  strongly  tinctured  with   the  sentiments  of  infidelity- 


272  BIOGRAniV    OF 

In  these  he  sought  refuge  from  the  occasional  convictions  of 
guilt  which  he  experienced.  Frequently  was  he  lured  from 
the  path  of  morality,  in  which,  in  his  earlier  years,  he  had  been 
accustomed  to  walk.  Being  necessarily  thrown  into  the  so- 
ciety of  the  gay  and  wicked,  he  was  tempted  to  indulge  in 
their  practices.  To  paralyze  the  strokes  of  conscience,  an  en- 
deavor was  made  to  disbelieve  the  truths  of  the  bible;  but  still 
he  was  restless  and  unhappy.  According  to  his  own  confes- 
sion, he  was  often  compelled  amid  the  frivolities  of  tho  ball 
room,  to  seek  relief  by  retiring  to  pray. 

During  this  period  of  painful  contest  between  conscience  and 
inclination,  he  sought  opportunities  to  converse  on  religious 
subjects.  So  far  as  he  was  inclined  to  believe  in  the  reality  of 
inspired  truth,  he  urgently  defended  the  forms  of  the  establish- 
ed church.  About  this  time  the  Baptists  were  much  prosper- 
ed in  their  attempts  to  save  men  from  the  delusions  of  sin. 
Although,  for  the  most  part,  their  ministers  were  men  of  limited 
attainments,  yet  they  possessed  strong  native  sense,  and  ardent, 
humble  piety,  while  the  Lord  was  with  them — bringing  many, 
through  their  means,  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth.  Mr.  Sem- 
ple  seems  to  have  indulged  quite  a  contemptible  opinion  of 
them  and  their  system.  Among  others,  whom  he  encountered 
in  argument,  was  a  pious  and  aged  member  of  the  Baptist  church, 
by  the  name  of  William  Skelton,  who  resided  near  him.  This 
man,  being  an  industrious  and  respectable  citizen,  though  un- 
skilled in  science,  became  the  subject  of  Mr.  Semple's  sym- 
pathy. He  was  regarded  as  a  deluded  enthusiast,  and  was  visit- 
ed by  his  youthful  friend  with  the  avowed  purpose  of  convincing 
him  of  the  error  of  his  way,  and  restoring  him  to  the  bosom 
of  the  church,  from  which  he  had  departed.  In  the  execution 
of  tli is  purpose,  Mr.  Semple  plied  his  arguments  with  warmth 
and  skill;  but  he  failed  to  change  the  mind  of  the  aged  disciple. 
His  arrows  were  pointless.  To  his  utter  astonishment,  he 
found  this  man's  mind  well  stored  with  scriptural  knowledge. 
He  could  not  gainsay  or  resist  the  truth,  which  in  simplicity 
and  godly  sincerity,  was  brought  to  bear  on  his  understanding 


ROUERT    B.    SEMPLE.  273 

and  his  heart.  He. determined  to  make  himself  more  familiar 
with  the  bible,  and  doubted  not  that  he  should  be  able  still  to  tri- 
umph over  his  opponent.  The  controversy  was  renewed,  but 
with  the  same  result.  Mr.  Skelton  extorted  from  him  a  prom- 
ise,  at  the  close  of  the  second  interview,  that  he  would  care- 
fully read  the  New  Testament,  and  note  all  the  passages  which 
related  to  the  points  in  dispute.  This  examination  was  pro- 
ductive of  lasting  good.  "The  law  of  the  Lord  is  perfect — 
converting  the  soul."  The  whole  character  of  the  young  dis- 
putant was  now  changed.  He  was  no  longer  the  petulant  cav- 
iler,  or  the  self-approving  Pharisee;  but  the  humble,  broken- 
hearted inquirer.  His  proud  heart  was  subdued:  for  he  saw 
what  to  him  was  before  unknown,  that  he  was  a  ruined  sinner, 
and  deserved  to  perish.  Now,  the  sentiments  which  had  been 
advanced  and  vindicated  by  his  aged  neighbor,  were  seen  to  be 
truths  of  everlasting  importance.  The  farther  his  investiga- 
tions were  pursued,  the  more  wretched  he  became,  until  the 
plan  of  salvation,  in  all  its  simplicity  and  fullness,  was  beheld 
and  trusted  in  by  him.  A  new  world  was  opened  to  his  vision; 
Christ  was  made  unto  him  wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctifica- 
tion,  and  redemption;  and  became,  in  his  estimation,  the  chief 
among  ten  thousand,  and  altogether  lovely. 

In  adverting  to  the  means  by  which  the  spirit  of  God  effect- 
ed a  change  in  the  heart  of  this  young  formalist,  a  number  of 
important  suggestions  occur  to  the  mind.  The  first  is,  the 
sovereignty  of  divine  grace.  Here  is  an  individual  presenting 
himself  in  the  attitude  of  an  opposer;  he  wages  war  against 
God  and  his  Christ,  and  God  subdues,  not  by  confining  him  in 
chains  of  darkness,  but  by  taking  away  his  stony  heart,  and 
giving  him  a  heart  of  flesh.  God's  purpose  is  accomplished 
too,  not  by  human  wisdom,  or  human  eloquence,  but  in  the 
manifestation  of  truth,  by  a  plain,  uneducated  farmer.  An- 
other thought  deserves  to  be  remembered:  the  Christian  knows 
not  what  grand  results  may  grow  out  of  his  endeavors  to  do 
good,  however  feeble.  An  old  man,  with  no  capacity  to  en- 
counter the  learning  and  wit  by  which  he  was  assailed,  might 
24 


274  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

have  satisfied  his  conscience  with  the  utter  hopelessness  of 
making  an  impression.  He  might  have  apprehended  only  an 
exposure  of  the  cause  he.  wished  to  defend,  or,  the  fear  of  ex- 
posing his  own  ignorance  might  have  prompted  him  to  keep 
silence.  But  no,  he  determined  to  open  his  mouth  boldly,  and 
speak  on  behalf  of  Him  in  whom  he  trusted,  and  whom  he 
loved.  And  what  was  the  result?  A  soul  is  converted.  An 
individual  is  brought  over  from  the  enemy,  who  is  to  become 
a  leader  in  the  army  of  the  Lord,  and  through  whom  many  are 
to  be  won  to  the  standard  of  the  Prince  of  peace.  The  most 
obscure  follower  of  Christ  may,  by  a  well-timed  conversation, 
or  a  single  word,  uttered  in  a  right  spirit,  be  the  occasion  of 
events  intimately  or  remotely  connected  with  the  eternal  well- 
being  of  thousands  of  his  race. 

But  to  return  to  the  narrative.  The  subject  of  this  biogra- 
phy was  not  simply  delivered  from  the  wrath  to  come,  and 
adopted  into  the  heavenly  family;  his  grateful  spirit  submitted 
with  joy  to  the  Redeemer's  sway,  and  his  prayer  was,  "Lord, 
what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do?''  He  sought  his  duty  from  the 
pages  of  inspiration,  and,  contrary  to  early  prepossessions,  de- 
termined to  attach  himself  to  that  sect  which  pre-eminently,  in 
his  day,  was  every  where  spoken  against.  In  taking  this  step, 
he  had  nothing  to  gain  but  the  answer  of  a  good  conscience, 
and  the  approbation  of  God;  while,  in  respect  to  temporal 
things,  there  was  every  prospect  of  sustaining  loss.  But  for 
the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  his  Lord,  he 
was  willing  to  count  all  things  loss.  He  was  baptized,  Dec. 
17S9,  by  Elder  Theodorick  Noel,  and  joined  the  Upper  King 
and  Queen  church. 

The  same  month  he  began  publicly  to  testify  to  the  faithful- 
ness of  the  saying,  "That  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to 
save  sinners.''  It  has  been  before  stated,  that  at  the  time  of 
his  conversion,  he  was  qualifying  himself  for  the  practice  of 
law.  When  the  excellence  and  love  of  Christ  were  revealed 
to  his  soul,  he  immediately  conferred,  not  with  flesh  and  blood, 
but  relinquished  the  hope  of  worldly  elevation,   that  he  might 


KOitERT    B.    SEMPLE.  275 

preach  among  his  fellow  men,  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 
His  first  attempt  was  made  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Loury,   Caro- 
line county,  Dec.   24th;  and,  it  is  said,  this  effort  was  far  from 
giving  promise  of  eminence  as  a  preacher.    A  late  distinguish- 
ed statesman  and  lawyer  being  present  at  this  time,  expressed 
himself  very  freely  concerning  the  sermon,  and  predicted,  that 
young  Semple   would  never,  in  the  character  of  a  minister, 
gain  the  attention  of  the  community.      On  the  same  occasion, 
a  ministering  brother,   still  living,    whose   praise  is  in  all  the 
churches,  preached  his  first  discourse.      Although  Elder  Sem- 
ple commenced  the  solemn  work  in  much  weakness,    and  with 
trembling,  he  was  not  discouraged.      He  was  willing  to  sacri- 
fice his  pride,  while  he  could  entertain  the  hope  of  doing  some- 
thing to  promote  the  cause  and  glory  of  his  Master.    The  cha- 
racteristic decision  which  he  exhibited  through  life,  was  evinc- 
ed in  his  earliest  efforts.    His  second  discourse  was  delivered  at 
a  private  house,  from  Hebrews   it,  1.       One   who  had   an  op. 
portunity  of  ascertaining  something  of  his  juvenile  attempts, 
remarks,  that   "his  manner  was  extremely  awkward,   and  his 
ideas,  though  obvious  to  his  audience  to  be  clear,  and  well  con- 
ceived, were  expressed  with  a  labored  and  unpleasant  gesticu- 
lation."    Encouragement  may  be  furnished  in  his  example  to 
young  licentiates  to  persevere  in  determined  endeavors  to  im- 
prove in  style  and  manner.     For  several  months  this  young  dis- 
ciple labored  in  the  neighborhoods  adjacent  to  his  own  home, 
with  great  zeal.     In  1790,   Bruington  church  was  constituted 
in  King  and  Queen,  under  the  instrumentality  of  that  excellent 
man,  Elder  James  Greenwood.     After  their  constitution,  they 
unanimously  called  the  subject  of  this  memoir  to  take  the  over- 
sight of  them.    On  the  26th  of  September,  1790  ,  a  presbytery 
consisting  of  Elders  Robert  Ware,  Theodorick  Noel,  and  Iveson 
Lewis,  proceeded  to  examine  and  ordain  him  to  the  work  of  the 
gospel  ministry.    He  continued  to  sustain  the  pastoral  relation 
to  Bruington  church  as  long  as  he  lived,  a  period  of  forty  years. 
On  the  first  of  March,  1793,   he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Ann  Loury,  daughter  of  Col.  Thomas  Loury,  of   Caro- 


276  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

line  county.  A  few  months  previous,  this  estimable  young 
lady  had  attached  herself  to  the  Baptist  church,  and  had  given 
the  most  indubitable  evidence  of  devotion  to  the  cause  of  Christ. 
Her  husband  was  often  heard  to  express  gratitude  for  the  direc- 
tion of  his  heavenly  Father  in  this  event.  She  was  a  help-meet 
indeed.  They  commenced  the  married  life  without  property, 
but  being  vigorous  in  health,  and  independent  in  their  feelings, 
they  determined,  by  industry  and  rigid  economy,  to  avoid  em- 
barrassment, that  he  might  more  fully  prosecute  the  duties  of 
the  ministry.  This  was  rendered  the  more  difficult,  as  they  had 
both  been  accustomed  to  move  in  affluent  society.  After  two 
or  three  temporary  removals,  they  ultimately  settled  in  King 
and  Queen,  on  a  farm  called  Mordington.  Here  they  spent 
the  greater  part  of  their  lives.  At  this  place,  for  a  number  of 
years,  he  conducted  a  school.  As  an  instructor  of  youth,  he 
was  much  approved,  and  highly  useful.  In  this  employment, 
in  connexion  with  the  cultivation  of  a  farm,  he  was  soon  placed 
in  very  comfortable  circumstances,  and  before  the  close  of  life 
had  acquired  considerable  property. 

In  a  few  years  after  the  entrance  of  Elder  Semple  into 
the  work  of  the  ministry,  it  was  the  will  of  God  that  he  should 
attain  a  very  high  reputation  among  all  classes  of  men. 
Notwithstanding  his  necessary  confinement  in  school,  he 
made  extensive  and  frequent  tours  throughout  all  parts  of  lower 
Virginia,  preaching  the  gospel,  and  confirming  the  disciples. 
His  visits  to  the  churches  were  eminently  blessed.  Itinerant 
labors  like  these,  he  continued  until  the  close  of  life.  His  reg- 
ular ministrations,  however,  were  confined  to  King  and  Queen, 
and  King  William  counties.  Within  this  region  a  number  of 
infant  churches  had  been  originated  when  he  began  his  minis- 
terial career.  These  churches,  chiefly  under  his  instrumental- 
ity, were  greatly  enlarged,  embracing  many  of  the  most  intel- 
ligent classes  of  society.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  minutes 
of  the  Dover  Association,  do  not,  for  a  number  of  years,  give  the 
statistics  of  the  churches,  by  which  might  be  ascertained  some- 
thing of  the  increase,  in  those  regions  occupied  by  Elder  Semple. 


ROBERT    B.    SEMPLE.  277 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter,  addressed  to  a  Christian 
friend,  alludes  to  the  state  of  things  in  his  congregations,  in 
1822.  "To-morrow,  I  am  to  attend  at  Upper  King  and  Queen, 
(one  of  the  churches  of  my  pastoral  caro,)  for  the  purpose  of 
baptizing  fifteen  or  twenty  persons,  recently  converted,  and  at 
the  same  place  in  July,  I  baptized  twenty-three  in  one  day. 
This,  I  am  sure,  you  will  say,  is  good  news,  I  can  also  say  of 
them,  that  few  revivals  in  my  acquaintance,  furnish  characters, 
of  whom  stronger  hopes  may  be  entertained  of  their  wearing 
well.  Although  many  of  them  are  the  poor  of  this  world,  I 
feel  persuaded  they  are  rich  in  grace.  In  another  church 
of  my  care, a  revival  has  gone  on  for  some  months,  chiefly  among 
the  people  of  color.  About  one  hundred  and  seventeen  have 
been  baptized,  of  whom  more  than  one  hundred  are  colored;  I 
wish  my  hopes  of  these  were  as  sanguine  as  they  are  in  respect 
to  the  subjects  of  the  other  revival.  So  closely  are  ignorance 
and  superstition  united,  that  I  find  it  hard  to  keep  these  poor 
creatures  from  building  upon  visions  and  dreams.  In  many  of 
them,  however,  the  clearest  evidences  are  furnished  of  a  work 
of  grace.  In  Bruington  church,  the  other  church  of  my  care, 
we  have  had  rather  a  warm  season,  for  about  twelve  months 
past,  and  (luring  that  time  have  baptized  about  thirty;  of  whom 
many  were  persons  of  high  standing  in  civil  society.  When 
in  York,  last  May,  I  baptized  two  ladies,  from  whom  I  entertain 

great  hopes  of  usefulness.      They  are  Mrs.   B and  Eliza 

P ,  my  niece.     I  correspond  with  them,   and  Eliza  writes 

to  my  daughter:  from  their  letters,   as  well  as  their  conversa- 
tion, I  entertain  these  hopes.     They  seem  to  be  very  pious.r 

An  interesting  fact  may  be  inferred  from  the  above  letter, 
which  deserves  the  attention  of  the  biographer.  Not  only  were 
the  intelligent,  refined,  and  wealthy,  brought  under  the  influ- 
ence of  his  ministry,  but  the  ignorant  and  the  indigent.  They 
shared  largely  in  his  sympathies  and  ministrations.  It  is  said 
some  of  his  happiest  moments  were  spent  in  the  cabins  of  the 
poor,  while  recommending  to  them  the  divine  Saviour,  who 
humbled  himself  that  they  might  be  rich.  Hundreds  of  those 
24* 


278  BIOGRAPHY    or 

who  occupied  the  humbler  walks  of  life,  were  accustomed  to  hail 
him  as  their  spiritual  father,  their  counsellor,  and  friend. 

Until  1783,  there  was  but  one  association  in  Virginia,  called 
the  General  Association.  This  body  was  then  divided  into 
four  districts,  and  the  General  Committee  organized.  While 
the  four  district  associations  met  regularly,  to  consult  the  wel- 
fare of  the  individual  churches,  they  each  appointed  four  dele- 
gates to  the  General  Committee,  to  deliberate  on  the  interests 
of  the  denomination  at  large.  This  was  dissolved  in  1794, 
but  in  1800,  representatives  were  appointed  by  several  associa- 
tions, and  the  general  meeting  of  correspondence  was  formed. 
Elder  Semple  was  usually  a  delegate,  from  the  Dover  Associa- 
tion, and  in  1808,  he  was  appointed  their  Moderator.  In  this 
office  he  continued,  until  its  dissolution.  From  his  entrance 
into  the  ministry,  he  was  one  of  the  most  regular  attendants  at 
the  Dover  Association.  It  is  doubtful  whether  he  was  absent 
from  any  one  meeting,  for  the  space  of  forty  years.  This  as- 
sociation, the  largest  in  America,  and  perhaps  in  the  world, 
owes  much  of  its  efficiency  to  his  exertions.  At  an  early  pe- 
riod he  was  chosen  Moderator,  and  continued  to  receive  this 
appointment  from  year  to  year,  until  his  death, 

In  the  early  efforts  of  the  Baptist,  denomination  to  send 
abroad  the  gospel  among  the  heathen,  Elder  Semple  became 
deeply  interested.  His  benevolence  was  enlarged,  like  lhat  of 
Christ,  embracing  the  whole  world.  He  thus  refers  to  the  sub- 
ject of  missions: 

"The  whole  glory  of  the  salvation  of  sinners,  is  due  to  God; 
but  the  means  must  be  used  by  his  people.  Go  ye  and  preach, 
said  Christ,  and  I  will  be  with  you.  Do  you  use  the  outward 
means,  and  1  will  make  them  effectual.  To  preach  is  the  duty 
of  the  speaker;  but  are  there  not  duties  incumbent  upon 
others  as  well  as  preachers?  Doubtless  there  are:  nothing  is 
plainer  in  the  scriptures  than  that  ministers  must  not  go  on 
this  warfare  at  their  own  charges.  But  missionaries  differ 
from  stated  pastors.  Tiiey  have  to  go  out  into  the  world  to 
preach.     Pastors  preach  to  churches  who  will  feel  themselves 


ROBERT    B.    SEMI'LE.  279 

bound  in  justice  to  support  them.  The  question  then  is,  are 
any  bound  to  aid  in  the  support  of  missionaries  whom  they 
are  never  to  hear?  We  answer,  not  by  the  principles  of  jus- 
tice; yet,  they  are  bound  by  the  principles  of  charity;  that 
charity,  which  seeketh  not  his  own  and  loveth  his  neighbor  as 
himself.  Who  that  feels  (as  a  Christian  ought  to  feel)  for  the 
wretched  state  of  mankind,  starving  for  the  bread  of  life,  but 
will  be  willing  to  throw  into  common  stock  his  money,  or  his 
services,  or  both,  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  their  wants,  by 
sending  them  the  gospel?  This  is  divine  generosity.  It  is 
alms  of  the  highest  grade,  on  which  a  rich  reward  awaits. 

"In  order  to  concentrate  the  energies  of  the  friends  of  the 
gospel,  missionary  societies  have  been  formed  in  various  parts 
of  the  earth.  The  individuals  of  these  societies  combine  their 
efforts  to  send  the  gospel  into  destitute  places,  whether  heathen 
or  nominally  Christian.  Preachers  are  sent  out  under  their 
direction,  and  are  supported  or  compensated  from  their  funds. 
These  funds  are  raised  by  the  contributions  of  the  members  of 
these  societies;  by  private  donations,  and  by  public  collections, 
&c.  These  measures,  like  all  others  requiring  money,  have 
met  with  opposition.  Where  is  the  scripture  proof?  say  some. 
We  answer — abundant  proof  is  to  be  found  in  the  New  Tes- 
tament. 

"The  Lord  Jesus  himself,  while  preaching  the  gospel,  re- 
ceived support  by  the  contributions  of  his  followers.  See 
Luke  viii,  23.  After  his  ascension,  his  disciples,  impelled  by 
a  holy  desire  for  the  spread  of  the  gospel,  and  by  divine 
charity,  cast  all  they  had,  into  one  common  stock.  This 
might  very  properly  be  called  a  missionary  fund,  by  the  aid  of 
which,  the  gospel  was  propagated  in  Jewish  and  heathen 
countries.  And  hence  the  apostle  says  to  the  Gentile  churches, 
their  debtors  they  are.  See  Romans  viii,  27.  The  Gentile 
converts,  on  their  part,  repaid  the  debt,  by  sending  aid  to  the 
Jewish,  impoverished  by  their  extraordinary  liberality.  The 
church  at  Philippi  is  applauded  by  Paul  as  having  been  the 
first  among  the  Macedonian  churches  who  contributed  to  his 


280  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

necessities,  and  still  more  commends  them  because  they  had 
done  this  once  and  again.  Right  reason  speaks  the  same  sen- 
timent. Can  any  thing  be  more  reasonable  than  to  contribute, 
for  godly  purposes,  a  part  of  the  abundance  which  God  gives 
us?  Can  we  receive  from  him  so  much  as  to  be  able  to  fare 
sumptuously  every  day  at  home;  show  finely  abroad;  expend 
hundreds  in  the  education  and  dress  of  our  sons  and  daughters; 
build  fine  houses,  &c,  and  even  after  such  expenditures,  have 
wherewithal  to  make  purchases  of  lands?  &c.  Shall  we  be 
thus  kindly  treated  by  him,  and  refuse  or  neglect  to  make  any 
return,  by  contributing  out  of  this  abundance  for  the  advance- 
ment of  his  cause?  Nothing  would  be  more  unreasonable. 
Objections  have  been  raised  upon  the  ground  of  practicability. 
Is  it  not  a  hopeless  undertaking?  say  they.  No!  by  no  means. 
Great  success  has  already  attended  the  efforts  of  missionary 
societies." 

Elder  Semple  was  among  the  first  in  Virginia  to  engage  in 
the  delightful  work  of  promoting  the  mission  cause.  To  his 
influence,  in  a  great  measure,  is  to  be  ascribed  the  regard 
which  was  manifested  by  many  individuals  and  churches 
towards  this  object.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first  meeting 
of  the  Baptist  General  Convention,  and  afterwards  uniformly 
attended,  to  the  period  of  his  death.  Whoever  else  might  be 
absent  from  the  anniversaries  of  Virginia  Missionary  Societies, 
Elder  Semple  was  always  in  his  place.  From  the  origin  of 
the  Richmond  Foreign  and  Domestic  Mission  Society,  (af- 
terwards the  Virginia  Baptist  Missionary  Society,)  he  was  its 
most  active  and  devoted  friend.  For  a  series  of  years,  he  pre- 
sided at  their  annual  meetings.  The  General  Association  of 
Virginia,  for  supplying  the  destitute  parts  of  the  state,  had 
also  a  large  share  of  his  affections.  He  was  usually  Moderator 
of  this  body,  and  president  of  its  board  of  managers.  Nor 
was  he  less  interested  in  the  cause  of  education.  Indeed, 
every  object  which  promised  to  be  advantageous  to  his  fellow 
men,  met  his  most  cordial   approbation.     He  acted   upon   the 


ROBERT    B.    SEMPLE.  281 

general  principle  that  it  was  right  to  do  good  unto  all  men  as 
far  as  he  had  opportunity. 

To  do  good  was  his  delight.  It  may  not  he  inappropriate 
here  to  insert  a  few  sentences  written  by  him,  expressive  of 
the  interest  he  took  on  the  subject  of  colonization: 

''If  the  colonization  plan  should  fully  succeed,  a  radical 
change  for  the  hetter  will  be  effected  in  three  distinct  nations. 
Our  own  nation  will  he  rid  of  a  most  deadly  evil;  the  African 
race  among  us  will  take  their  stand  as  an  independent,  civil- 
ized people,  cultivating  the  soil,  and  breathing  the  air  which 
heaven  seems  to  have  destined  for  them.  The  savage  tribes 
on  the  African  continent  will,  through  them,  rise  to  refinement 
and  civilization;  and,  what  is  infinitely  better,  will  acquire  a 
knowledge  of  that  gospel  which  brings  life  and  immortality  to 
light.  Why  should  not  our  free  colored  population  go  back  to 
the  land  of  their  forefathers?  It  is  believed  that  the  Jews  are 
again  to  possess  the  country  given  them  of  God.  If  the  sons 
of  Abraham  are  to  return  to  the  sepulchres  of  their  fathers, 
why  not  the  sons  of  Ham?  Both  these  people  have,  for  cen- 
turies, suffered  the  chastisement  of  offended  Providence;  both 
have  been  preserved  a  separate  people,  in  the  bosom  of  other 
nations.  Will  the  Father  of  mercies,  whose  loving-kindness 
is  to  be  seen  even  in  his  chastisements — will  he  he  angry  for- 
ever with  the  one  people,  and  ultimately  show  forgiveness  to 
the  other]  But  I  am  reminded,  that  it  is  a  delicate  subject, 
and  must  be  treated  cautiously.  Very  true!  No  people  can 
be  more  aware  of  that  than  Virginians;  and,  I  think,  no  Vir- 
ginian more  than  myself.  When  I  say,  or  do  any  thing  on 
this  delicate  suhject,  I  strive  to  call  up  my  soundest  discretion, 
to  think  again  and  again,  and  lest,  after  all,  I  may  be  misled 
by  some  vain  imagination,  I  endeavor  to  ask  wisdom  of  the 
Father  of  lights.  Such  should  be  the  course  of  all.  It  is, 
however,  one  thing  to  act  with  caution,  great  cavtion,  and 
another,  and  a  very  different  thing,  not  to  act  at  all.  We  must 
not  abstain  from  doing  good,  lest  our  good  should  be  evil 
spoken   of.     The   way   is,   indeed,   narrow  and    perilous;  and 


282  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

fiery  spirits  may  pull  down  evils  upon  themselves,  and  others; 
yet  the  wise  and  prudent  may  walk  the  same  way,  and  effect 
much  good,  without  any  evil.  The  late  disaster  in  Liberia, 
is  indeed  discouraging;  but  a  kind  Providence  can  easily  re- 
medy the  evil.  The  Israelites  had  to  go  through  many  pur- 
gations, before  they  could  settle  in  peace,  in  the  promised 
land.     So  had  the  American  colonies.'' 

Among  other  objects  that  engaged  the  attention  of  Elder 
Semple,  was  the  Columbian  college,  in  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia. This  institution  became  deeply  involved  in  debt,  and  its 
existence  as  a  Baptist  college,  seriously  periled.  To  save  it  from 
ruin,  and  restore  public  confidence  and  patronage,  it  was  found 
necessary  that  some  individual  of  known  integrity,  judgment, 
and  industry  should  be  selected  to  take  charge  of  its  financial 
concerns.  The  eyes  of  the  board  were  directed  to  Semple, 
and  he  was  pressingly  invited  to  assume  this  responsibility. 
In  considering  the  propriety  of  accepting  the  appointment,  he 
saw  that  ties  most  powerful,  must  be  sundered,  and  many  pain- 
ful sacrifices  made.  But  he  yielded  to  the  convictions  of  duty, 
and  determined,  at  least  for  a  time,  to  remove  to  the  city  of 
Washington.  This  removal  took  place  in  July,  1827.  In  this 
station,  as  president  of  the  board,  he  remained  until  the  period 
of  his  death.  With  his  characteristic  diligence  and  energy, 
he  prosecuted  the  important  work  committed  to  his  hands,  and 
the  whole  denomination  were  inspired  with  hope,  that  the  col- 
lege would  soon  be  relieved  from  its  embarrassments.  In  a 
letter  from  Elder  Abner  W.  Clopton,  dated  College  Hill,  Oct. 
29,  1828,  reference  to  this  subject  is  made  in  the  following  lan- 
guage: "Dr.  Semple,  the  main-spring — the  very  soul  of  the  in- 
stitution, is  still  here;  and  with  the  vigilant  concern,  and  unwea- 
ried activity  of  an  honest,  faithful,  and  tender  parent,  is  en- 
deavoring to  arrange,  and  pay  off  as  rapidly  as  the  means  can 
be  obtained,  the  enormous  and  chaotic  mass  of  debts.  Scarcely 
any  other  man  in  our  denomination,  though  many  others  pos- 
sess excellency  of  character,  could  have  entered  upon  this 
herculian  task,  with  any  hope  of  success.     Perhaps  no  other, 


ROBERT    B.    SEMl'LK.  283 

while  scarcely  sun,  or  moon,  or  star  shed  a  beam  of  light 
through  the  threatening  cloud,  would  have  remained  firm  at  his 
post."  The  cheering  anticipations  expressed  in  this  extract,  and 
indulged  by  all  the  friends  of  the  institution,  were  not  realized. 
He  who  overrules  all  events,  saw  it  best  to  remove  his  servant 
from  the  sphere  he   occupied   on  earth,  to   the  rest  of  heaven. 

It  becomes  proper  to  refer  to  the  labors  of  brother  Semple, 
as  an  author.  Sometime  in  1809,  he  published  a  catechism  for 
the  use  of  children,  which  was  highly  approved.  In  1810,  his 
principal  work,  the  History  of  Virginia  Baptists,  with  several 
biographical  notices  appended,  was  issued  from  the  press. 

This  history  must  have  cost  its  author  much  expense  of  time 
and  labor,  in  the  collection  of  materials,  as  well  as  in  its  pre- 
paration for  the  public  eye.  There  might  be  found  by  the  critic, 
some  defects  in  the  style  of  this  work;  and  it  is  questionable 
whether  the  references  which  were  made  to  men,  then  living, 
were  not  calculated  to  have  an  unhappy  tendency.  In  present- 
ing it  to  the  public,  he  employs  the  following  language:  "Unless 
the  compiler  is  wholly  deceived  in  himself,  his  attempt  to  write 
a  history  of  the  Virginia  Baptists,  did  not  spring,  either  from 
the  love  of  money  or  the  love  of  fame.  To  say  that  these  things 
never  entered  his  thoughts,  would  be  saying  what  no  one  would 
believe.  His  motive  was  an  ardent  wish  for  the  prosperity  of 
truth;  which  he  really  thought  could  be  greatly  promoted  by 
a  plain  and  simple  exhibition  of  God's  dealings  towards  his 
people.  The  rise  and  rapid  spread  of  the  Baptists  in  Virginia 
were  so  remarkable,  that  there  are  but  few,  who  do  not  be 
lieve  that  some  historical  relation  of  them  will  be  productive  of 
real  advantage  to  true  religion.  So  much  were  our  revolution- 
ary reformers  persuaded  of  this,  that  they  made  arrangements 
as  early  as  1788,  to  collect  materials  and  publish  a  history;  as 
may  be  seen  by  turning  to  our  history  of  the  proceedings  of 
the  General  Committee.  If  his  book  does  not  recommend  itself 
by  its  deep  erudition,  polished  style,  or  rhetorical  flights,  he 
thinks  that  it  possesses  qualities  that  are  more  valuable  in  such 
a  work.     Candor  and  simplicity  in  church  history,  appear    to 


284  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

the  author,  properties  of  primary  importance.  He  has  faith- 
fully recorded  the  foibles  and  failures,  as  well  as  the  virtues  and 
praises,  of  his.  own  people.'' 

No  doubt  an  important  benefit  was  conferred  on  the  denomi- 
nation by  the  publication  of  this  history.  It  enabled  the  church- 
es to  become  more  familiar  with  each  other's  rise  and  progress, 
and  tended  to  bind  them  together,  in  closer  and  more  endearing 
fellowship.  It  was  important  too,  that  the  peculiarly  interesting 
circumstances,  which  accompanied  the  origin  and  early  history 
of  the  Baptists  in  Virginia,  should  be  made  known  to  the  world. 
In  addition  to  these  works,  it  devolved  on  Elder  Semple  to  be- 
come the  biographer  of  the  lovely  and  lamented  Straughan. 
This  memoir  was  well  executed,  and  reflected  much  credit  on 
its  author.  He  was  also  frequently  appointed  to  write  the  cir- 
cular letters  of  the  Dover  Association.  All  these  are  good, 
containing  much  valuable  matter,  and  two  or  three  of  them 
may  be  called  superior. 

Elder  Semple  was  never  distinguished  as  a  controversial 
writer.  Had  he  turned  his  attention  particularly,  to  polemics;  he 
doubtless  might  have  excelled.  But  he  was  always  more  disposed 
to  engage  in  some  work  of  faith,  and  labor  of  love,  than  to  spend 
his  time  in  vexatious  controversy.  It  has  been  thought  by 
some,  that  his  letters  in  reply  to  Mr.  Campbell,  had  rather  an 
injurious  influence.  These  letters  were  too  hastily  written,  and 
moreover,  in  his  early  correspondence  with  that  wily  errorist, 
there  was  too  much  of  disposition,  to  recognize  him  as  a  Chris- 
tian brother,  defective  indeed  in  some  of  his  views,  but  not  in 
essential  matters.  This  discussion  inclined  many  in  lower 
Virginia,  to  become  readers  of  Mr.  Campbell's  periodical,  some 
of  whom  were  led  away  by  his  enticing  words.  It  must  not 
be  understood  that  Elder  Semple  thought  lightly  of  these  er- 
rors. In  one  of  his  communications  he  speaks  of  Mr.  C's. 
views  as  constituting  "one  of  the  most  poisonous  schemes  that 
the  present  generation  has  witnessed.'' 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  him,  addressed  to  the 
editor  of  the    Herald,  deserves  a  place  here.     Referring  to  a 


ROBERT    B.    SEMl'LE.  ^85 

conference  of  churches,  which  had  previously  met,  and  adopted 
resolutions  against  this  system,  he  says:  "Lot  it  be  distinctly 
remembered,  that  there  are  certain  great  leading  truths  which 
constitute  the  essence  of  Christianity.  Put  off  these,  and 
adopt  any  thing  else  in  the  place  of  them,  (no  matter  what,) 
and  you  lose  every  thing  in  the  character  of  a  Christian  worth 
having.  You  may  retain  the  name  and  the  forms  of  godliness, 
but  you  deny  the  power  thereof.  A  word  with  regard  to  the 
season,  was  it  the  proper  time?  had  suitable  forbearance  been 
exercised?  I  would  answer — years  have  elapsed  since  this  re- 
ligious leprosy  made  its  appearance,  and  became  dangerous  to 
our  religious  body.  Having  watched  its  progress  and  perceiv- 
ing its  malignant  effects,  the  most  experienced  disciplina- 
rians became  satisfied  that  the  time  had  fully  arrived,  when 
measures  should  be  adopted  to  put  out  from  among  us  those 
who  clearly  and  obstinately  adhered  to  a  system,  so  unlike 
the  real  gospel.  It  is  believed  by  the  most  dispassionate, 
that  if  there  be  any  error,  it  has  been  in  being  too  tardy 
in  resorting  to  the  proper  measures.  In  Kentucky,  where 
the  erroneous  system  spread  more  alarmingly  than  in  Virginia, 
strong  measures  have  been  adopted;  and  it  is  said  to  have  pro- 
duced very  desirable  effects.  Another  question  will  be  asked. 
Is  this  the  proper  course?  I  answer,  under  existing  circum- 
stances, it  does  appear  to  me  to  be  the  wisest  course  that  could 
be  pursued.  The  evil  having  become  general — something  like 
a  general  remedy  was  plainly  called  for.  Associations  are 
looked  at  with  a  jealous  eye,  by  many  excellent  men.  These 
being  periodical  bodies,  it  was  apprehended,  that  if  once  such 
matters  should  be  taken  up  by  them,  they  would  grow  into 
something  alarming.  For  single  churches  to  act  separately 
would  be  likely  to  produce  discordance,  and  thereby  weaken 
the  remedy.  A  conference,  therefore,  made  up  of  committees 
from  aggrieved  churches,  seems  to  me  to  commend  itself  to 
every  prudent  man's  judgment.  These  churches  having  the 
disease  prevalent  among  them,  would  be  most  likely  to  fall  upon 
the  remedies  best  adanted  to  the  case.     The  committees  too, 


286  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

selected  from  these  aggrieved  churches,  would  he  for  the  most 
part  tried  and  experienced  men,  fathers  in  Israel;  such  would 
march  directly  to  their  object  with  a  firm  step,  not  biased  by 
false  delicacy  on  the  one  hand,  nor  by  party  beat  on  the  other. 
All  things  fairly  considered,  I  do  most  cordially  recommend  the 
course  advised  by  the  conference,  and  do  hope,  earnestly  hope, 
that  a  course,  substantially  like  it,  may  be  adopted  by  all  our 
churches;  and  that  we  may  in  this  most  distressing  state  of 
things,  all  move  together." 

Some  allusion  has  already  been  made  to  the  exertions  of  this 
devoted  man,  as  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ.  Few  men  have 
possessed  a  wider  and  more  commanding  influence,  or  have 
been  more  useful  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord.  There  have 
been  those  who  have  risen  rapidly  in  the  world,  and  for  a  while 
have  excited  attention,  but  whose  relaxed  zeal,  or  improper 
conduct,  has  thrown  them  back  into  the  shade,  from  which 
they  have  never  again  emerged.  Others  have  attracted,  and 
continued  to  attract  the  admiration  of  those  around  them,  while 
their  real  usefulness  has  been  confined  within  a  very  limited 
compass.  Semple's  progress  was  gradual,  but  it  was  onward. 
His  influence  was  practically  felt.  And  what  was  the  secret  of 
his  success?  Did  it  consist  in  eccentricity  of  manner,  extra- 
ordinary powers  of  mind,  or,  overpowering  pulpit  eloquence? 
In  neither.  It  was  the  result  of  other  qualities,  which  he  pos- 
sessed in  an  eminent  degree,  and  to  which  the  attention  of  the 
reader  should  be  directed,  or  this  sketch  would  not  be  complete. 

I.  Among  the  most  marked  features  of  his  ministerial  char- 
acter, was  prudence,  united  with  great  decision.  These  import- 
ant attributes  were  exhibited  in  conferring  with  inquirers  on 
the  subject  of  salvation  and  Christian  duty.  He  was  always 
prepared  to  give  discreet  advice.  Nor  was  he  unfrequently 
called  upon  to  afford  instruction  both  within  the  sphere  of  his 
pastoral  labor,  and  (o distant  correspondents. 

The  following  letters  were  written  in  reply  to  inquiries 
made  by  one  who  was  settled  in  a  neighborhood  where  the 
Baptist  ministry  seldom  visited. 


ROBERT    B.    SEMFLE.  287 

"Z>e«r  Madam:  Your  last  came  to  hand  in  a  very  short 
lime  after  date;  it  brought  me  the  first  intelligence  of  your 
baptism,  and  of  the  Gloucester  meetings.  It  was  indeed,  in 
every  respect,  a  pleasing  communication.  You  have  witnessed 
a  good  profession  in  a  part  of  our  country  where  Baptist  prin- 
ciples have  been  very  little  understood,  or  rather  have  been 
greatly  misunderstood.  Your  situation  in  life  will  cause  you 
to  be  much  observed  by  all.  The  friends  of  truth  will  fix  the 
eye  of  hope  upon  you,  and  look  for  a  divine  blessing  on  your 
good  conversation  in  Cbrist  Jesus.  The  opposite  party,  made 
up  of  various  descriptions,  under  more  various  motives,  will 
watch  for  your  halting.  The  personal  enemies  of  the  Baptists, 
from  religious  and  other  motives,  will  say,  'their  principles  are 
too  rigid  for  any  good  person  to  be  happy  among  them.' 
You  know  of  whom  it  was  said  in  old  times:  'x\s  for  this  sect, 
it  is  every  where  spoken  against.'  It  does  indeed  require  a 
large  stock  of  prudence,  or  rather  of  divine  grace,  to  make 
a  consistent  and  useful  Baptist.  But  looking  to  God  with 
constant  and  humble  reliance,  there  will  be  nothing  too 
hard.  Surely  he  can  make  rough  ways  smooth,  and  crook- 
ed paths  straight;  and,  moreover,  he  says,  these  things  will  I 
do,  and  not  forsake  you.  As  it  respects  society,  you  will 
doubtless  sometimes  be  at  a  loss:  you  cannot  go  all  lengths 
with  your  old  friends  who  are  not  changed,  and  of  course  must, 
to  a  certain  extent,  withdraw  from  them;  and  a  refined  mind 
cannot  fully  enjoy  the  company  of  the  unrefined,  even  though 
pious.  But,  this  you  will  take  as  a  part  of  your  cross.  In 
the  mean  time,  be  at  work,  and  you  will  find  your  labor  not  in 
vain  in  the  Lord.  Talk,  advise,  write,  pray,  &c.  and  you  will 
find  your  society  improved  upon  your  own  terms.  Some  of 
your  friends  who  pitied  your  weakness — perhaps  persecuted 
you. — will  be  among  the  number  to  seek  your  religious  associ- 
ation.    I  have  seen  these  things  more  than  once.'' 

liDear  Madam:  Your  letter,  by  taking  a  wrong  direction, 
did  not  reach  me  until  a  few  days  past.  Its  contents  were 
most  satisfactory,  and  consoling.     Your  experience  of  grace 


288  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

was  surely  from  God:  for  no  person  can  feel  thus,  unless  God 
be  with  him.  You  speak  of  being  'assailed  with  doubts  and 
fears,'  It  is  questionable  whether  a  faithful  experience,  is  ever 
without  them.  They  are  not  from  God,  but  he  overrules  them 
for  the  Christian's  confirmation.  Satan  will  worry,  whom  he 
cannot  devour.  In  this,  like  all  his  other  attacks  upon  the 
children  of  God,  he  causes  only  momentary  pain,  which  is  suc- 
ceeded by  lasting  peace.  The  barking  of  the  wolf  drives  the 
sheep  nearer  to  the  fold  and  the  shepherd.  I  am  more  than 
commonly  pleased  with  the  calculations  you  seem  to  make,  that 
the  Christian  is  not  to  be  carried  to  the  skies  on  flowery  beds 
of  ease.  Young  Christians  often  overrate  the  duration  of  their 
comforts,  arid  underrate  their  trials,  so  that  when  their  conflicts 
come,  they  are  not  prepared  for  them,  and  'count  it  strange,' 
that  they  should  be  visited  by  such  fiery  trials.  It  is  much  to 
their  advantage  to  keep  in  mind,  that  through  much  tribulation 
we  must  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  1  am  also  highly 
pleased  at  discovering,  from  your  letter,  that  you  have  right 
views  of  prudence  and  waiting  upon  God.  The  enemy  of  souls 
has  often  done  much  mischief  among  zealous  professors,  by 
persuading  them  to  neglect  one  set  of  duties,  to  attend  to 
others;  that  the  immediate  and  direct  duties  to  God  are  para- 
mount to  domestic  and  social  duties.  It  is  not  so;  all  duties 
should  be  done  to  God.  Hence  Colossians  iii,  3,  we  are  told, 
'whatsoever  ye  do  in  word  or  deed,  do  all  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord  Jesus,'  &c.  and  immediately,  the  duties  of  domestic  life 
are  enumerated  and  enjoined,  as  to  be  done  for  God;  see  the 
same  subject,  Ephesians  v  and  vi.  This  must  be  done  by  wait- 
ing upon  God  and  seeking  his  direction  as  to  the  proper  mode 
of  attending  to  each  duty,  so  as  to  be  found  rendering  unto  God 
the  things  that  are  God's,  and  unto  man  the  things  that  are  his. 
This  is  the  sure  way  of  letting  our  light  shine. 

Baptism  is  so  very  distinctly  revealed  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment, that  for  more  than  thirty  years  I  have  been  astonished 
how  there  could  be  more  than  one  opinion  upon  it  among  the 
readers  of  the  Testament,  especially  the  pious;  that  repentance 


ROBERT    U.    SEMPLE.  289 

and  faith  should  precede  baptism,  is  as  plainly  laid  down  in  the 
above  book,  as  words  can  speak.  Philip,  when  asked  to  bap- 
tize a  certain  man,  said,  'if  thou  believest  with  all  thy  heart, 
thou  mayest,' Acts  viii,  36, '37.  You  speak  of  obstacles.  You 
cannot  do  wrong  to  wait  on  the  Lord  to  remove  them,  and 
make  your  conversion  and  baptism  a  blessing  to  many  others, 
and  by  a  judicious  use  of  your  privileges,  you  will  have  much 
solid  happiness  here,  and  will  meet  your  Saviour  with  more 
pleasure,  when  you  find  yourself  among  those  to  whom  he  will 
say,  'These  are  they  who  have  followed  the  Lamb  whitherso- 
ever he  went.'  " 

In  the  social  circle,  he  always  demeaned  himself  in  a  man- 
ner becoming  his  exalted  station.  Many  ministers  who  act 
well  their  part  in  the  pulpit,  are  lamentably  deficient  in  their 
daily  intercourse  with  men.  Their  undignified  demeanor,  and 
indiscreet  remarks,  tend  to  neutralize  the  most  instructive  and 
eloquent  discourses.  But  it  was  not  thus  with  the  subject  of 
this  memoir.  Fie  always  seemed  to  carry  about  with  him  the 
recollection,  that  he  should  watch  for  souls  as  one  who  must 
give  account,  and  all  his  words  and  actions  were  judiciously 
adapted  to  leave,  both  among  saints  and  sinners,  a  good  im- 
pression. 

His  government  of  the  churches  over  which  he  presided,  and 
the  course  he  took  in  the  Dover  Association  and  other  large  de- 
liberative bodies,  furnished  also  a  test  of  his  character  for 
sound  judgment  and  firmness  of  purpose. 

II.  Another  invaluable  trait  in  his  character  was  unwearied 
diligence  in  the  discharge  of  ministerial  duties.  For  punctuality 
in  attending  his  own  appointments,  and  all  the  more  important 
denominational  meetings  of  the  state,  he  was  proverbial.  And, 
while  at  these  meetings,  as  well  as  in  the  fulfilment  of  pastoral 
duty,  whatever  his  hands  found  to  do,  he  did  it  with  all  his 
might.  It  will  be  appropriate,  in  this  place,  to  furnish  an  ex- 
tract from  a  communication,  written  by  one  who  was  doubtless 
prepared  to  give  the  most  accurate  information.  In  this  ex- 
tract the  writer  alludes  to  the  course  Elder  Semple  pursued  at 
25* 


290  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

an  early  stage  of  his  ministry.  Having  referred  to  his  indus- 
trious habits  in  teaching  and  farmings  immediately  after  his 
marriage,  the  writer  proceeds: 

"During  this  time  he  ministered  to  three  congregations;  two 
of  them  twenty  miles  distant  from  his  residence.  He  labored 
incessantly;  making  it  his  religious  duty  to  undertake  nothing 
which  he  did  not  complete,  and  to  have  no  appointment  which 
he  did  not  fulfil.  So  strictly  did  he  observe  this  rule,  that  I 
have  heard  him  say,  that  he  has  rode  through  the  most  inclem- 
ent weather  to  a  distant  church,  and,  when  getting  there,  found 
the  nearest  neighbor  absent,  and  preached  on  such  occasions  to 
a  congregation  of  not  more  than  four  or  five  persons.  His 
labors  at  this  time  were  peculiarly  arduous.  The  Baptist  church 
in  that  region  was  in  its  infancy.  There  were  few  persons 
who  belonged  to  it,  and  those  the  most  illiterate  and  unpolished. 
The  prejudices  of  the  public  were  against  it,  and  the  young 
man  of  learning  and  talent  was  deemed  irreclaimably  infatu- 
ated, who  could  devote  his  time  to  the  service  of  a  church 
which  brought  neither  honor  nor  emolument.  Panoplied,  how- 
ever, in  the  armor  of  conscious  rectitude,  he  went  forth  to  battle 
these  prejudices  and  to  disseminate  truth.  In  a  short  time  the 
fruits  of  his  labor  were  awarded  him.  A  church  equal  in  num- 
ber and  respectability  to  any  in  the  state,  grew  up  under  his 
ministry,  and  old  Bruington  still  stands  a  monument  to  the  zeal 
and  piety  of  its  never  to  be  forgotten  founder.'' 

In  a  sermon  delivered  on  the  occasion  of  his  death  by  Elder 
Robert  Ryland,  the  following  allusion  is  made:  "He  was 
eminent  for  his  perseverance.  1  have  known  many  men  of 
equal,  perhaps  superior  abilities,  who  fell  far  short  of  his  use- 
fulness, because  they  wanted  his  decision.  He  was  deliberate 
in  forming  his  conclusions,  but  when  formed,  he  acted  on  them. 
He  felt  that  the  ground  on  which  he  stood  was  solid,  and  he, 
therefore,  stood  erect  and  fearless.  His  course  through  life 
was, consequently,  not  an  irregular  one,  vacillating  from  one  ex- 
treme of  doctrine  to  another,  now  manifesting  an  excessive 
zeal,  and  now  settled  down  into  a   frigid    insensibility;  but   it 


ROBERT    li.    SEMPLE.  291 

was  uniform,  steady,  dignified.  You  always  found  him  the 
same  man.  Human  energy  is  often  wasted  because  it  is  ap- 
plied to  some  point  for  a  short  time  with  great  vehemence, 
and  then  diverted  from  that  to  another,  before  the  first  is  ac- 
complished. Such  was  not  the  custom  of  Mr.  S.  He  never 
abandoned  a  project  because  it  proved  to  be  difficult  or  un- 
popular, but  went  right  on, until  a  fair  experiment  had  convinced 
him  what  was  expedient.  Hence  it  was,  that  he  acquired  so 
much  weight  of  character  in  the  community.  Every  person 
confided  in  the  soundness  of  his  judgment,  and  in  the  energy 
with  which  he  executed  his  purposes.  If  he  had  appointments 
to  fulfil,  he  suffered  no  impediment,  which  mortal  enterprise 
could  subdue,  to  interrupt  them.  His  congregations  would  go 
out  to  hear  him  in  cold  and  rainy  weather,  because  they  were 
sure  of  his  attendance.  This  trait  in  a  public  man,  is  doubt- 
less, more  valuable  than  it  is  usually  regarded.  In  the  course 
of  a  long  life,  its  influence  is  capable  of  effecting  a  large  amount 
of  good,  while  the  patriarchal  sentiment  is  found  to  be  true — 
'Unstable  as  water,  thou  shalt  not  excel.' 

"He  was  one  of  your  practical  men,  that  set  themselves  to 
work  in  good  earnest,  and  'from  the  same  fixed  and  faithful 
point,'  never  decline,  until  their  aim  is  accomplished.  It  ought 
to  be  set  down  also  to  his  credit,  that  he  was  constitutionally 
indolent.  His  physical  nature  seems  to  have  been  changed  by 
the  force  of  principle.  Whatever  of  activity  he  displayed,  was 
the  result,  not  of  natural  temperament,  but  of  grace  divine, 
urging  him  forward  against  the  current  of  his  feelings — the 
effect  of  holy,  ardent  love,  prompting  him  to  spend  and  be  spent 
for  the  salvation  of  souls.  Many  men  arc  endued  with  a  rest- 
less temper,  that  makes  them  energetic  by  starts.  Their  mo- 
tions are  rapid,  but  uncertain  and  eccentric.  Their  zeal  is 
blazing,  but  misguided  and  injudicious.  They  rarely  effect  much 
good.  But  this  man's  energy  was  steady  and  efficient.  His 
zeal  was  uniform  and  salutary,  because  guided  by  a  sound  judg- 
ment, and  directed  to  a  hallowed  end. 

"The  only  additional   remark  which  I  shall   make  on   this 


292  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

part  of  the  subject  is  this: — That  no  man  probably  felt  a  deeper 
interest  in  the  general  welfare  of  Zion.  While  the  disciples 
are  classed  into  so  many  little  families,  there  is  danger  lest 
they  feel  an  undue  solicitude,  each  for  his  own  family,  and  dis- 
regard the  common  cause.  Mr.  S.  felt  a  lively  anxiety  for  his 
whole  denomination,  and  for  the  progress  of  the  gospel  in  every 
part  of  the  world.  He  could  have  said,  with  Paul,  'Besides 
those  things  that  are  without,  that  which  cometh  upon  me 
daily,  the  care  of  all  the  churches.'  Indeed,  when  his  reputa- 
tion had  increased,  he  was  so  much  importuned  to  preach  in 
distant  neighborhoods,  that  his  own  people  felt  his  loss.  Wher- 
ever he  sojourned,  there  he  went  to  work  as  if  it  had  been  his 
particular  charge.  And  on  this  account,  he  was  looked  up  to 
by  all  the  churches,  as  a  kind  of  apostle — was  called  upon  to 
decide  controversies,  and  to  adjust  more  serious  difficulties. 
One  of  his  darling  themes  in  the  pulpit,  was  the  enforcement 
of  brotherly  love.  His  soul  was  oppressed  by  the  schisms 
which  have,  in  some  instances,  perplexed  our  churches.  To 
the  variant  parties,  his  private  and  public  counsels  were  excel- 
lent. If,  however,  he  ever  displayed  an  authoritative  spirit,  it 
was  while  preaching  on  this  subject.  He  had  little  patience  for 
the  senseless  quarrels  of  those  who  profess  to  be  disciples  of 
the  Prince  of  peace,  and  children  of  the  God  of  love. 

''In  fine,  as  a  public  teacher  of  religion,  our  lamented  bro- 
ther was  deservedly  eminent.  He  was  always  appropriate. 
The  variety  of  his  sentiments,  the  originality  of  his  manner, 
the  solid,  earnest,  and  devout  constitution  of  his  mind,  made 
him  profitable  to  all  classes  of  hearers.  I  think  those  fami- 
liar, but  beautiful  lines  of  Cowper,  suit  him  as  well  as  any 
man  I  have  ever  seen: 

'Would  I  describe  a  preacher,  such  as  Paul, 
Were  he  on  earth,  would  hear,  approve,  and  own, 
Paul  should  himself  direct  me.     I  would  trace 
His  master  strokes,  and  draw  from  his  design. 
I  would  express  him  simple,  grave,  sincere; 
In  doctrine  uncorrupt;   in  language  plain, 
And  plain  in  manner;  decent,  solemn,  chaste, 
And  natural  in  gestrrre;  much  impressed 


ROBERT    B.    SEMPLE.  293 

Himself,  as  conscious  of  his  awful  charge, 
And  anxious  mainly  that  the  flock  he  feeds 
May  feel  it  too;   affectionate  in  look, 
And"  tender  in  address,  as  well  becomes 
A  messenger  of  grace  to  guilty  men.'  " 

III.  It  may  be  observed,  in  addition  to  the  qualities  to 
which  the  attention  of  the  reader  has  been  called,  that  he  was 
distinguished  for  the  practical  character  of  his  preaching.  By- 
manifestation  of  the  truth,  he  commended  himself  to  every 
man's  conscience  in  the  sight  of  God.  His  discourses  were 
remarkable  for  their  appropriateness,  and  were  always  deli- 
vered in  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity.  To  amuse  men  was 
never  his  design,  when  he  stood  up  to  recommend  the  weighty 
truths  of  the  word  of  God.  No  one  could  sit  under  his  min- 
istry without  being  convinced  that  the  great  object,  at  which  he 
aimed,  was  to  do  good.  It  was  said,  by  a  pious  lady,  that  "she 
never  heard  him  preach  when  she  did  not  retire  resolving  to 
be  more  holy  and  devoted  to  God.  Possessing  an  intimate  ac- 
quaintance with  the  heart,  and  feeling  the  superlative  value  of 
eternal  realities,  he  was  habitually  prepared  to  speak  with  pun- 
gency and  faithfulness.  It  must  not  be  understood  that  he 
was  deficient  as  a  doctrinal  preacher.  It  was  the  delight  of  his 
heart  to  dwell  on  the  love  of  God  to  his  people,  the  divine  na- 
ture and  glory  of  the  Redeemer,  the  necessity  and  happy  influ- 
ence of  the  spirit's  work  in  regeneration,  and  all  the  other 
truths  of  the  bible,  but  he  never  theorized  on  any  one  of  these 
doctrines  without  making  some  practical  inference,  and  press- 
ing them  upon  the  consciences  of  his  hearers.  This  was  evi- 
dently the  apostolic  plan.  Paul,  in  his  writings,  manifests  a 
peculiar  concern  that  purity  of  sentiment  should  prevail  in  the 
churches;  but,  in  recommending  the  precepts  of  the  gospel,  he 
descends  to  particulars,  and  with  emphasis,  urges  all  the  duties 
of  social  life,  as  well  as  those  of  a  devotional  character.  Thus 
did  Semple.  His  style  was  sometimes  negligent,  but  his  man- 
ner always  impressive.  An  extract  from  the  funeral  discourse, 
delivered  by  Elder  A.  Broaddus,  will  be  here-  introduced.  It 
furnishes  an  accurate  description  of  the  ministerial  talent  and 


294  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

spirit  of  him,  with  whom,  from  early  youth,  the  speaker  had 
been  intimately  associated  in  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry: 

"Among  the  gifts  and  endowments  of  my  valued  friend,  we 
do  not  reckon  an  eloquent  tongue  and  a  fluent  speech.  The 
early  part  of  his  career  was  marked  by  frequent  embarrass- 
ment, from  the  want  of  a  ready  and  happy  appropriation  of 
words,  to  the  ideas  which  labored  in  his  mind.  But  then,  you 
still  saw  the  idea  of  sterling  worth,  big  with  important  mean- 
ing, and  weighing  powerfully  in  the  scales  of  the  sanctuary. 
You  saw  the  object  towards  which,  with  resolute  pace,  he  was 
marching  up;  and  though  he  might  sometimes  be  impeded  on 
the  way,  still  he  marched  on,  (for  perseverance  was  one  of  his 
distinguishing  features,)  still  he  marched  on,  till  the  point  was 
gained.  And  if,  even  in  the  maturity  of  his  ministry,  he  never 
attained  to  excellence  in  ready  utterance,  the  worth  of  his 
matter  more  than  made  amends  for  the  want  of  this  faculty;  a 
faculty  which,  though  it  has  its  worth,  is  often  found  to  exist 
in  connection  with  a  slender  stock  of  mind  and  meaning, — a 
pompous  parade  of  words,  a  body  without  a  soul. 

"Divine  truth,  from  the  lips  now  sealed  in  silence,  came  to 
knock  at  the  door  of  our  hearts,  not  with  the  tap  of  the  gloved 
hand,  but  with  the  stroke  of  the  brazen  knocker.  It  entered, 
not  with  the  bows  and  compliments  of  a  stranger,  but  uncere- 
moniously, like  the  owner  of  the  castle,  come  to  claim  his 
mansion.  Nor  did  he  lack  a  holy  warmth,  a  heavenly  unction, 
in  his  ministrations;  for  God  was  with  him.  To  have  the 
best  feelings  of  the  heart  engaged  and  kindled  up  in  the  cause 
of  Christ,  and  under  the  influence  of  his  redeeming  love,  was 
the  delight  of  his  soul.  Often  has  he  said,  'I  would  give  noth- 
ing for  that  religion  which  excludes  these  heavenly  feelings.' 
And  if  he  was  not  eminent  for  those  appeals,  which  produce  a 
more  powerful  excitement,  you  are  witnesses,  my  friends  and 
brethren,  how  often  a  sacred  pathos  mingled  itself  with  his 
addresses;  how  often,  ere  we  were  aware,  a  transition  took 
place,  from  the  current  of  argument  and  instruction,  to  a  feel- 


ROBERT    B.    SEMPLE.  295 

ing  and  even  a  melting  sense  of  the  excellence  of  Christ's  holy 
religion,  its  blessed  enjoyments,  and  immortal  prospects. 

"Various  are  the  gilts  with  which  God  has  favored  the 
Christian.  The  distinguishing  excellence  of  our  brother  in 
his  ministerial  capacity,  appeared  to  me  to  consist  in  a  fund  of 
knowledge  of  human  nature,  applied  as  occasion  called  for  it, 
to  the  various  workings  of  the  heart;  and  in  what  the  apostle 
calls  'instruction  in  righteousness;' or  an  exhibition  of  the  duty 
and  advantage  of  practical  godliness.  Having  been  instru- 
mental, under  the  influence  of  God's  gracious  Spirit,  in  turning 
many  'from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  to 
God,'  he  was  earnestly  engaged  in  his  ministrations,  in  build- 
ing them  up  in  the  faith  of  the  gospel,  and  training  them  to 
active  diligence  in  all  good  works." 

"One  quality,"  says  Mr.  Ryhind,  "which  distinguished  our 
venerable  brother,  was  his  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  hu- 
man heart.  This  was  one  of  the  chief  sources  of  his  great- 
ness and  usefulness.     Pope  says, 

'The  proper  study  of  mankind  is  man.' 

This  study  is  important  to  all  professions;  but  to  the  preacher, 
it  is  indispensable.  He  has  to  deal  emphatically  with  the  heart 
of  man.  He  should  know  how  to  touch  alternately  the  chords 
of  hope  and  fear,  of  love,  joy,  sympathy,  gratitude,  and  devo- 
tion. Mr  S.  applied  his  mind  more  to  this  subject  than  to 
books.  If  he  addressed  the  unconverted,  they  were  often 
astonished  at  his  perfect  insight  into  their  feelings.  Like  the 
woman  of  Samaria,  they  were  constrained  to  say.  'He  told 
me  all  the  things  that  ever  I  did.'  He  described  them  so 
faithfully,  that  they  found  no  way  of  escape,  and  had  to  con- 
fess they  were  the  very  sinners  whom  he  had  designated.  If 
he  spoke  to  Christians,  he  seemed  to  know  their  trials — their 
secret  exercises — their  besetting  infirmities.  He  expatiated 
on  them  more  correctly,  than  they  could  have  done  themselves. 
And  he  was  well  skilled  to  apply  a  remedy  suited  to  their 
spiritual  diseases;   to  administer  comfort  to  the  depressed,  cau- 


296  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

tion  to  the  unguarded,  and  reproof  to  the  disobedient.  Per- 
haps, this  is  of  all  others,  the  most  delicate  task  assigned  to 
the  messengers  of  truth — to  adapt  their  instructions  to  the 
character  and  circumstances  of  men.  It  is  not  sufficient  that 
they  understand  what  is  truth;  but  they  should  know  what 
particular  ideas  to  advance,  for  the  various  stages  of  expe- 
rience; when  to  apply  the  promises,  when  the  admonitions, 
and  when  the  threatenings  of  the  gospel.  In  a  word,  they 
should  rightly  divide  the  word  of  truth,  giving  to  each  one 
his  portion  in  due  season.  This  can  be  done  only  by  knowing, 
in  some  measure,  what  is  in  man.  Possessing  a  large  share 
of  this  quality,  Mr.  S.  succeeded  remarkably  well  in  perform- 
ing the  duty  above  alluded  to.  He  aimed  his  darts,  not  over 
the  heads  of  men,  but  at  their  consciences,  and  they  felt  their 
point.  He  abhorred  the  disposition  which  prompts  some  to 
attempt  great  things,  merely  to  attract  the  stare  of  the  igno- 
rant. The  useful  was  preferred  by  him  to  the  ornamental,  and 
the  homely  phrase,  that  conveyed  his  thoughts,  was  selected, 
rather  than  the  classic  one,  which  would  be  understood  only 
by  the  learned.'' 

It  will  not  be  unsuitable  or  uninteresting  to  the  reader,  here 
to  introduce  a  few  extracts  from  the  pen  of  Elder  Semple. 
They  will  give  a  just  idea  of  the  sterling  excellence  of  those 
sentiments,  which  were  at  all  times  advanced  by  him,  both  in 
the  pulpit  and  by  the  pen.  It  ought  to  be  remarked,  Jhat  he 
very  seldom  wrote  sentimental  letters,  although  his  corres- 
pondence was  extensive.  As  he  was  frequently  consulted  in 
reference  to  the  interests  of  individual  churches,  or  the  cause 
at  large,  he  was  accustomed  in  each  case  to  confine  himself  tq 
the  subject,  and  to  give  plain,  practical  advice. 

The  first  extract  furnished  will  exhibit  his  views  of  the  gos- 
pel ministry.  It  is  from  a  letter  addressed  to  a  young  brother, 
who  was  agitating  the  question,  whether  it  was  duty  to  enter 
upon  this  solemn  work:  "Your's  of  the  9th  inst.  is  now  before 
me,  and  I  sit  down  to  nnswer  it.  It  contains  one  general  pro- 
position by  way  of  asking  my  advice,   viz.   shall  I  preach  the 


ROBERT    B.    SEMPLE.  297 

gospel?  To  which  I  might  answer  shortly,  yes!  But  you  would 
have  it  more  in  detail.  You  seem  to  be  satisfied  that  God  has 
impressed  it  upon  your  mind,  or  at  least,  you  ought  to  be  satis- 
fied, if  your  exercises  are  as  you  describe  them.  Such  exer- 
cises prove  the  call  of  God.  If  God  has  committed  a  dispen- 
sation of  the  gospel  to  you,  a  woe  betides  you,  if  you  do  not 
preach.  On  the  contrary,  if  you  preach  willingly  and  faithfully, 
you  will  have  a  reward.  Such  are  the  terms  of  God's  house. 
But  the  part  in  which  I  hope  to  be  of  some  use  to  you,  is  res- 
pecting the  difficulties  of  this  holy  occupation.  Of  these  you 
should  be  forewarned.  When  God  called  Saul  of  Tarsus,  he 
said  to  Annanias,  I  have  showed  him  what  great  thinfs  he 
must  suffer  for  my  name's  sake.  A  faithful  and  true  minister 
must  make  up  his  account,  that  he  is  to  endure  hardness  as  a 
soldier  of  the  cross.  He  is  appointed  thereunto.  It  would 
seem  that  God  will  accept  no  services  unless  they  can  stand 
the  fiery  ordeal.  His  way  is  full  of  fire;  and  wood,  hay,  or 
stubble  will  soon  burn  up,  while  gold  shines  so  much  the  bright- 
er for  having  passed  through  the  fire.  The  apostle  found  it 
as  God  had  told  him,  hence  he  gives  us  a  long  catalogue  of  suf- 
ferings, which  he  had  endured.  And  when  he  compares  him- 
self with  others,  he  asks,  are  they  ministers  of  Christ?  and 
his  answer  is  worthy  of  note — '/  am  more.  In  labors  more 
abundant,  in  stripes  above  measure:'  and  he  goes  on  to  enu- 
merate his  sufferings,  as  if  they  made  him  more  than  a  minis- 
ter of  Christ.  This  you  will  say  is  a  dark  picture,  true;  but 
you  will  find  it  a  true  one,  if  you  are  a  laborious  and  faithful 
minister  of  the  gospel.  But  there  is  also  a  bright  side  to  this 
picture.  Aye,  one  that  if  rightly  viewed,  will  dazzle  not  only 
the  above  prospects,  but  all  the  bright  hopes  and  schemes  of 
worldly  aggrandizement.  The  man  who  has  right  feelings  to- 
wards God's  work,  and  faith  as  to  its  reward  here  and  here- 
after, would  not  hesitate  in  making  choice  of  a  holy  minister's 
office,  in  preference  to  the  office  of  prime  minister  of  the  most 
potent  kingdom  upon  earth;  nay,  of  the  crown  itself  of  such 
kingdom.  But  it  requires  peculiar  feelings,  such  as  God  only 
26 


298  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

cun  give.  Your  course  is  plain,  wait  upon  God,  wait  upon  him 
without  weariness.  Follow  his  leadings.  Be  still  until  God 
says,  move,  and  then  move  with  zeal,  judgment,  and  humility. 
Do  not  forget  Jeremiah's  question  and  advice  to  Baruch,  'Seek- 
est  thou  great  things  for  thyself?  Seek  them  not.'  I  am  des- 
perately mortified  at  seeing  some  of  our  young  preachers. 
They  seem  to  have  accepted  the  call  of  God,  only  upon  the 
condition,  that  they  may  be  great  preachers,  and  may  get  great 
salaries.  It  requires  a  stretch  of  charity,  beyond  my  measure 
to  even  hope,  that  pride  and  selfishness  have  not  a  large'share 
in  their  ministerial  exercises.  These  seldom  succeed  in  doing 
good.  All  things  considered,  I  hope  you  will  engage  in  the 
holy  work,  and  that  you  will  do  it  from  the  purest  motives,  and 
with  extensive  success.     Your's  in  gospel  fellowship." 

The  brief  selections  which  follow,  will,  without  doubt,  be 
read  with  pleasure  by  many  who  have  heard  from  his  lips 
the  words  of  eternal  life;  and  to  those  who  have  had  no  person- 
al acquaintance,  it  will  be  gratifying  to  see  specimens  of  the 
style  in  which  he  was  accustomed  to  illustrate  and  enforce  truth. 

Holiness,  a  rare  principle. — "So  refined  a  principle  is  true 
holiness,  and  so  contrary  to  the  natural  propensities,  that  kw, 
either  in  the  Old  or  New  Testament,  are  represented  as  having 
attained  to  high  degrees  in  it.  But  few  spotless  characters  are 
exhibited  among  the  sons  of  God,  that  presented  themselves  in 
worship  in  the  clays  of  Job;  it  is  said  of  none  that  he  was  a 
perfect  and  an  upright  man,  except  Job  himself.  Of  the  thou- 
sands in  Israel,  Moses  seems,  at  some  seasons,  almost  to  stand 
alone  faithful  to  his  God.  Many  thousands  assembled  in  the 
plain  of  Dura,  and  doubtless  among  them  many  Jews,  yet  three 
only  continued  immovable,  and  would  not  bow  to  the  king's 
golden  image.  When  the  Lord  Jesus  was  betrayed,  a  {e\v 
women,  and  perhaps  one  male  disciple,  adhered  to  him." 

The  true  church. — "The  fairest  and  only  proper  mode  of  as- 
certaining the  visible  church,  in  the  present  day,  is  to  search 
for  the  visible  church  in  the  days  of  inspiration,  and  then  in- 


ROBERT    B.    SEMPLE  299 

quire  among  what  people  her  characteristics,   as  laid  down  in 
the  bible,  may  be  discovered.'' 

Charity. — "A  charitable  spirit  is  not  a  mere  disposition  to 
give  alms  to  the  poor.  This  is  only  one  of  its  many  excellent 
effects.  It  is  rather  that  mind  that  was  in  Christ  Jesus,  which 
prompted  him  to  love  mankind  in  their  sins,  and  to  determine 
him  to  save  them  at  the  expense  of  his  own  life.  By  one 
writer,  it  is  defined  to  be  'a  principle  of  love  to  God,  and  good 
will  to  men,  wishing  well  to  all.'  A  charitable  spirit,  in  a 
Christian,  is  the  fountain  whence  most  of  the  other  graces 
spring;  and,  we  may  add,  it  is  the  source  whence  all  the  real 
good  practised  among  men,  takes  its  origin.  Forbearance,  for- 
giveness, long-suffering  under  injuries;  gentleness,  mildness, 
&c.  are  some  of  its  many  fruits.  Feeding  the  hungry,  cloth- 
ing the  naked,  visiting  the  sick,  acting  the  part  of  a  father  to 
the  fatherless,  of  a  friend  to  the  friendless;  to  make  another's 
suffering  its  own;  to  rejoice  with  those  that  rejoice,  and  weep 
with  those  that  weep,  are  a  part  of  its  holy  works.  A  chari- 
table spirit  views  the  faults  of  its  possessor  with  abhorrence; 
those  of  its  neighbor  with  grief,  and  those  of  its  enemies  with 
forbearance  and  forgiveness.  This  spirit  never  aggravates, 
never  propagates  the  follies  of  others.  It  spreads  its  mantle 
over  a  multitude  of  faults,  and  would  fain  blot  them  out  of  ex- 
istence. Envy,  evil  speaking,  whispering,  backbiting,  pride, 
selfishness,  flee  from  her  train.  Faithfulness,  candor,  pru- 
dence, philanthropy,  happiness,  are  its  constant  attendants.  It 
sometimes  wounds,  yet  never  but  with  a  view  to  healing.  If  it 
frowns,  it  is  the  frown  of  reform,  and  its  chastisements  are  the 
chastisements  of  peace.  In  prosperity,  it  warns  not  to  be  too 
much  elated;  and  in  adversity,  it  strengthens  the  feeble  knees, 
and  lifts  up  the  hands  which  hang  down.  It  is  heaven-born> 
and  nurtured  near  the  eternal  throne.  It  is  a  visitant  on  earth, 
going  about  pointing  out  the  road  to  glory  and  happiness,  and 
leading  all  to  the  abodes  of  peace,  who  will  follow  its  advice 
or  example.  It  is  a  plant  of  paradise,  which  never  thrives  in 
human  soil,  unless  moistened  with  the  dew  of  heaven,  and  cu!» 


300  BIOGRAPHY     OP 

tivated  according  to  the  rules  of  holy  writ.  It  seeks  no  rank 
on  earth;  hut  with  equal  readiness  becomes  a  guest  to  the 
prince  or  the  peasant,  the  sovereign  or  his  subjects.  Faith 
and  hope  are  its  principal  ministers  in  this  world,  but  in  hea- 
ven, its  native  elimc,  it  needs  them  not.  There  it  forever  lives 
and  sings,  when  inferior  spirits  shall  cease.'' 

Pride. — "Few  things  can  be  imagined  more  unreasonable  in 
a  follower  of  Jesus,  than  pride.  His  first  admittance  into  the 
kingdom  of  Christ,  being  wholly  through  sovereign  mercy;  his 
preservation  therein,  by  given  strength,  all  his  virtues,  and  all 
his  gifts  the  offspring  of  grace;  a  beggar  and  a  bankrupt  as  to 
himself,  he  may  be  well  asked,  what  hast  thou  to  glory  in? 
Unreasonable,  however,  as  it  may  be,  there  are  few,  very  few, 
if  any  of  the  church  militant,  who  are  exempt  from  its  bane- 
ful influence.  It  is  a  noxious  plant,  that  springs  up  sponta- 
neously in  the  breast  of  man,  and  will  destroy  every  thing 
good;  unless  by  close,  diligent,  and  holy  watchfulness,  it  be 
dug  up  and  kept  under.  It  is  a  spirit,  marked  with  deep  in- 
gratitude. It  often  rises  highest  in  those  who  are  most  fa- 
vored of  God.  Beneficiaries  of  his  distinguishing  goodness, 
they  are  prompted  by  this  spirit,  (like  Satan,)  to  put  the  crown 
upon  their  own  heads.  Hence,  we  may  account,  why  the  best 
men  are  often  most  afflicted.  Lifted  by  their  Master  to  the 
third  heavens,  a  thorn  in  the  flesh  is  given  them,  lest  they 
should  be  exalted  above  measure.  Well  then,  may  we  account 
them  happy,  who  endure." 

False  teachers. — "Satan  transforms  himself  into  an  angel  of 
light,  and  it  is  not  uncharitable  to  believe,  that  a  large  propor- 
tion of  the  religion  that  is  in  the  world,  is  the  offspring  of  Sa- 
tanic inspiration.  In  this  way  we  arc  to  account  for  the  va- 
rious unscriptural  doctrines  of  most  of  the  sects  of  Chris- 
tianity. Professing  to  bo  guided  by  the  word  of  God,  they 
suffer  themselves  to  be  misled  by  the  devices  of  Satan.  They 
call  meteors,  stars:  and  gewgaws,  jewels.  But  in  the  church, 
this  side  of  heaven,  however  sound  in  doctrine,  and  however 
regular  and   strict  in  discipline,  individuals  will  be  found,  who 


ROBERT    R.    SEMPLE.  301 

privily  creep  in,  and  seem  destined  to  disgrace  the  cause  in 
which  they  embark;  such  was  the  case  in  the  apostolic  church 
as  sacred  history  records;  and  the  best  authenticated  profane 
history  leaves  us  without  a  doubt,  that  no  subsequent  age  of  the 
church  has  been  exempt  from  these  calamities." 

Discipline. — "God  seldom  works,  but  Satan  imitates.  God 
makes  Christians,  and  Satan  makes  hypocrites.  Time,  how- 
ever, will  make  manifest  who  are  on  the  Lord's  side,  and  true 
scriptural  discipline,  will  separate  the  precious  from  the  vile. 
Discipline  is  like  the  refiner's  fire;  it  makes  the  faithful  shine 
like  pure  gold,  while  the  false  and  faithless  are  consumed  like 
chaff." 

Source  of  true  greatness. — "Many  excellent  lessons  may  be 
learned  by  turning  our  reflections  to  our  own  day.  Various 
characters  have  passed  before  our  view.  Some  have  risen  to 
great  usefulness  and  weight  of  character;  and  some,  like  the 
glow-worm,  have  glutted  for  a  moment,  and  sunk  into  oblivion. 
What  are  the  causes?  It  will  be  found,  upon  impartial  exami- 
nation, that  whatever  might  have  been  the  effect  of  talents, 
connexions,  or  popular  sentiments,  the  far  greater  part  of  their 
high  standing  ought  to  be  ascribed  to  the  successful  cultivation 
of  a  meek  and  Christian  spirit,  and  that  the  insignificance  or 
downfall  of  the  opposite  party  oftener  arose  from  that  pride 
which  precedes  a  fall,  than  for  the  want  of  mental  or  personal 
endowments.'' 

Bigotry. — "Bigotry  often  claims  the  exclusive  credit  of  be- 
ing a  defender  of  the  faith,  of  candor,  of  faithfulness,  of  holy 
courage;  and  casts  contempt  on  every  thing  that  opposes. 
With  it,  meekness  is  meanness,  prudence  is  the  fear  of  man, 
moderation  is  apathy,  and  the  love  of  enemies  is  hypocrisy.  A 
contentious  spirit  is  always  forming  and  fomenting  partjes.  Its 
own  party  is  flattered  and  caressed,  the  opposite  is  slighted 
and  browbeaten.  When  much  heated,  it  is  not  uncommon  to 
resort  to  still  baser  measures:  to  seize  trifling  foibles  in  its 
opposers,  and  magnify  them  into  great  faults,  and  occasionally 
to  spread,  if  not  fabricate,  base  falsehoods.  It  is  against  this 
26* 


302  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

spirit,  the  apostle  labors  in  his  first  epistle  to  the  Corinthians: 
'for,'  says  he,  'it  has  been  declared  to  me,  that  there  are  con- 
tentions among  you.  Whereas,  there  is  among  you  envying, 
and  strife,  and  divisions,  are  ye  not  carnal?  For,  while  one 
saith,  I  am  of  Paul,  and  another,  I  am  of  Apollos,  are  ye  not 
carnal?'  In  another  part  of  the  same  epistle,  he  says,  'if  any 
man  seem  to  be  contentious,  we  have  no  such  custom.'  To 
Timothy  he  complains  of  some  who  doat  about  questions  and 
strife  of  words." 

Indolence. — "Indolence  does  much  harm  negatively,  by  not 
doing  the  good  that  it  ought  and  might.  The  slothful  man  sees 
innumerable  and  insurmountable  obstacles  in  the  enterprises 
presented  to  his  view.  Tell  him  to  arise  and  work  for  his  God, 
he  immediately  saith,  there  is  a  lion  in  the  way,  I  shall  be  slain 
in  the  streets.  He  will  sometimes  rouse  up  and  commence  a 
work,  but  seldom  or  never  brings  it  to  perfection.  He  may 
hunt  and  may  take  the  prey,  but  his  sloth  lulls  him  to  sleep, 
and  he  roasts  not  that  which  he  took  in  hunting.  He  may  un- 
dertake to  cultivate  a  field  or  vineyard,  but  if  you  go  by  it,  you 
will  find  it  all  grown  over  with  thorns.  A  professor  of  re- 
ligion, who  gives  way  to  a  slothful  spirit,  is  a  cypher  on  the  left 
hand  that  counts  for  nothing;  a  barren  fig-tree,  that  cumbers 
the  ground.  In  the  useful,  active  labors  of  God's  house,  he  does 
nothing  to  perfection.  Appoint  him  to  any  active  service,  and 
you  hear  no  more  from  him,  or  hearing,  it  is  only  an  apology 
for  not  doing.  Sluggards  in  religion,  are  not  always  so  in 
worldly  matters.  Some  of  them  are  eager  enough  in  pursuit 
of  their  own  things,  but  have  no  time,  no  temper,  no  talents 
for  Christ's  work.  Some  of  them  can  stir  themselves  on  a 
Sabbath  day,  and  travel  some  miles  to  pay  a  social  visit,  but 
seven  or  eight  miles  to  worship  is  too  unreasonable  for  man  or 
beast." 

Idle  curiosity — "Idle  curiosity  often  leads  its  possessors  into 
barrenness  of  soul,  and  others  into  miscalculations.  The  cu- 
rious arc  always  in  pursuit  of  novelty.  Those  who  are  infected 
by  the  spirit  of  curiosity,  and   do  not  check  it,  are   disgusted 


H015ERT    H.    SEMl'LE.  303 

with  every  thing  of  longstanding.  They  find  out  new  preach- 
ers, new  books,  new  people,  &c.  and  these,  while  new,  are  al- 
ways the  best;  but  as  soon  as  the  novelty  wears  of}',  they  quickly 
look  out,  and  find  others  more  to  their  taste.  A  curious  spirit 
sometimes  manifests  itself  in  searching  intodeepand  mysterious 
subjects,  or  dark  and  difficult  texts  of  scripture.  The  common 
maxims  or  plain  doctrines  of  God^  word,  are  overlooked  as 
insipid  and  useless;  those  full  of  dark  metaphors,  and  inscruta- 
ble mysteries,  are  the  food  of  this  spirit.  Doctrines,  involving 
inexplicable  points,  are  sought  as  pearls  from  the  bottom  of  the 
ocean;  more  valuable,  because  more  rare.  Some  of  these  dis- 
cover their  error  and  reform.  They  then  tell  us,  that  their 
former  course  afforded  no  permanent  pleasure  or  profit,  and 
that  plain  and  common  things  are  found,  on  fair  trial,  to  be 
most  valuable." 

Worldly  religion. — "The  religion  of  the  world,  like  Nebu- 
chadnezzar's golden  image,  is,  for  the  most  part,  pompous  and 
crowded  with  ceremonies  and  sensual  gratifications.  God  is 
always  best  pleased  with  his  people,  when  in  simplicity  and 
godly  sincerity  they  have  their  conversation  in  the  world.  Paul 
was  jealous  of  the  Corinthians  lest  their  minds  should  be  cor- 
rupted from  the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ." 

Christian  intercourse. — "Frequent  and  familiar  associations 
of  Christians,  accompanied  by  prudence  and  watchfulness, 
often  check  a  wrong,  and  enkindle  a  right  spirit.  The  asso- 
ciation of  the  pious  upon  right  principles,  is  of  great  efficacy 
towards  producing  and  preserving  a  holy  frame.  In  our  best 
estate,  we  are  often  blind  to  our  own  faults.'' 

Depravity  the  source  of  error. — "Depraved  as  man  is,  it 
would  be  vain  to  hope,  that  he  would  not  abuse  any  treasure 
(however  precious)  to  which  he  could  have  access.  Sinful, 
fallen  man,  can  never  touch  and  not  pollute;  can  never  wear 
and  leave  the  garment  unpolluted.  Pure  religion  is  handed  to 
us  directly  from  heaven.  But,  alas!  how  much  is  there  that 
bears  the  name  of  religion,  that  is  nothing  more  than  the  pro- 
duction of  man,  and,  indeed,  of  a  power  worse  than  man.' 


304  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

Prayer. — "Humble  prayer  has  a  most  happy  tendency  to- 
wards softening  the  ferocious  passions  of  nature.  The  very 
approaching  of  God  as  our  Father,  tends  to  produce  in  us  a 
meek,  mild,  and  childlike  temper.  A  soul  with  a  praying 
spirit,  loses  (for  a  season  at  least)  all  malice,  all  arrogance. 
He  either  trembles  at  his  Master's  frowns,  or  melts  at  his 
smiles.  But  beside  this,  humble  prayer  receives  an  answer. 
He,  therefore,  who  feels  his  proud  and  resentful  temper  too 
stubborn  to  be  subdued  by  himself,  has  but  to  wait  upon  that 
God  who  giveth  more  grace  to  the  humble.'' 

Patience. — -"Patience  in  this  world  of  woe,  is  not  only  right, 
but  indispensable  to  vital  piety.  In  the  character  of  Christ  it 
was  notable  indeed.  Being  a  man  of  sorrows  and  acquainted 
with  grief,  his  whole  life  exhibited  proof  of  the  prevalence  of 
this  spirit;  and  to  induce  us  to  imitate  him,  he  promises  that  if 
we  suffer,  we  shall  reign  with  him.  A  calm  and  serene  temper 
in  the  midst  of  trials  and  sufferings  displays  the  genius  of 
Christianity,  more  favorably  than  any  other  attitude  in  which 
the  follower  of  the  Lamb  can  be  placed.  This  seems  to  be  the 
true  secret  why  the  pious  but  prosperous  Job  must  pass  through 
fiery  trials.  God,  who  searcheth  hearts,  knows  that  he  is  a 
perfect  and  upright  man;  but  those  who  look  on  things  after  the 
outward  appearance,  think  they  see  in  his  wealth  and  prosperity 
sufficient  inducement  to  serve  God;  and,  therefore,  dispute  the 
purity  of  his  motives.  The  Lord  would  cut  off  all  occasion  for 
doubt  or  reproach,  and  accordingly  brings  Job  down  to  the  low- 
est state  of  adversity  and  affliction.  His  patient  spirit  under 
his  sufferings,  is  named  and  applauded  in  the  New  Testament. 
Most  of  the  favorite  servants  of  God  have  been  like  sufferers. 
It  was  while  Daniel's  soul  was  in  bitterness  and  grief,  he  is  so 
often  called  a  man  greatly  beloved.  David's  forbearing  and 
forgiving  spirit  in  the  midst  of  unrelenting  persecutors,  seems 
to  have  had  no  small  share  in  procuring  for  him  the  honorable 
appellation  of 'a  man  after  God's  own  heart.'  Moses,  though 
raised  in  a  royal  court,  must  also  drink  of  the  bitter  cup;  and 
the  patient  spirit  displayed  by  him  in  Egypt  and  in  the  wilder- 


rosebt  b.  snjirLE.  305 

ness,  under  the  severest  conflicts,  seems  to  be  the  brightest 
trait  in  his  character." 

Hospitality. — "So  valuable  is  a  virtuous  hospitality  in  the 
sight  of  God,  that  he  has  sometimes  crowned  it  with  distin- 
guished blessings.  The  widow  of  Zarephath,  or  Sarepta,  by 
entertaining  Elijah,  was  miraculously  fed  for  many  days,  and 
the  great  woman  of  Shunem,  by  her  hospitable  kindness  to  Eli- 
sha,  obtained  a  son,  the  first  desire  of  her  heart.  And  Isaac 
also,  the  promised  seed,  seems  to  have  been  promised  by  the 
angels  when  filled  and  cheered  by  Abraham  and  Sarah's  cor- 
dial kindness  at  their  house,  though  probably  not  known  to 
them  as  angels  at  the  time.  Abigail,  by  feeding  David  and  his 
men,  averted  a  heavy  curse  from  her  family,  and  procured  for 
herself  a  royal  husband.  It  was  in  a  house  of  hospitality  that 
Jesus  said,  'This  day  is  salvation  come  to  this  house.'  But, 
probably,  the  most  important  advantage  which  arises  from  hos- 
pitality, is  the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  It 
causes  the  gospel  to  be  preached  under  private  roofs  at  times 
and  seasons  when  circumstances  prevent  it  at  public  meeting- 
houses— sometimes  also,  in  neighborhoods  where  there  are  no 
houses  of  public  worship,  and  where,  but  for  such  accommoda- 
tion, the  people  would  be  left  destitute  of  the  word  of  life.  It 
promotes  intercourse  among  the  pious,  by  which  their  faith  is 
strengthened,  their  hearts  are  warmed,  their  principles  con- 
firmed, and  all  their  powers  animated  in  the  heavenly  warfare. 
It  invites  inquirers  into  the  society  of  the  godly,  with  whom 
they  can  have  free  conversation,  and  who  can  'expound  unto 
them  the  way  of  God  more  perfectly.'  Hence,  ministers  of  the 
gospel  are  specially  required  'to  be  given  to  hospitality,'  that 
their  houses  may  supply  the  lack  of  service  of  the  pulpit;  that 
their  conversation  might  do  what  was  left  undone  by  their  min- 
istry, and  what,  in  many  instances,  the  public  ministry  could 
not  so  well  effect." 

Conversation. — "Frothy  and  vain  conversation  should  be 
avoided  as  the  bane  of  Christian  society — worldly  things,  if  in- 
troduced, should  be  talked  of  moderately,  and  in  the  fear  of 


306  biogiiaphy   or 

God — but,  above  all,  religious  subjects  should  not  be  named 
with  levity.  Foolish  talking  and  jesting  on  any  subject  is  said 
not  to  be  convenient,  but  religious  conversation,  conducted  with 
levity,  is  shameful.  Cheerful  gravity,  and  grave  cheerfulness, 
fit  best  the  followers  of  Ilim  who  was  never  seen  to  laugh,  but 
who,  nevertheless,  bade  his  disciples  be  of  good  cheer." 

A  generous  spirit. — "A  generous  spirit  never  enjoys  his 
possessions  more  happily  than  when  he  shares  it  at  the  hos- 
pitable board,  with  his  friends,  or  with  the  needy  and  distress- 
ed. The  very  reflection  that  his  house  is  filled  with  God's  peo- 
ple, has  often  melted  the  pious  man's  heart  into  the  sweetest 
delights.  When  he  deals  to  them  the  food  or  drink,  water  or 
napkin,  or  lights  them  to  bed,  or  takes  care  of  their  horses, 
&c,  his  heart  is  in  all  he  does,  and  he  actually  realizes  our 
Saviour's  words:  'He  that  would  be  the  greatest,  let  him  be  the 
servant  of  all.'  Such  a  host,  while  he  renders  himself  happy, 
is  sure  to  impart  pleasure  and  delight  to  his  guests.  If,  from 
poverty,  his  fare  should  be  coarse,  it  nevertheless  becomes  de- 
licious by  his  mode  of  administering  it.  He  turns  water  into 
wine,  and  wild  gourds  into  palatable  food,  by  the  delicious  sea- 
soning of  affection.  He  proves  by  actual  experience,  that  a 
dinner  of  herbs,  with  love,  is  better  than  a  stalled  ox  without 
it.  He  serves  up  one  dish,  without  which  the  finest  dainties 
are  deceitful  meat,  viz.  a  hearty  welcome.  If  his  guests  must 
lodge  on  beds  of  straw,  they  will,  if  good  men,  repose  more 
softly  than  on  beds  of  down,  struck  over  with  the  thorns  of  ma- 
levolence. What  view  of  human  nature  can  be  more  celestial, 
than  to  see  a  circle  of  religious  friends,  sitting  around  the  hos- 
pitable room,  elucidating  mysterious  passages  of  holy  writ,  or 
mingling  their  voices  in  the  songs  of  Zion,  or  reciting  past  ex- 
perience, narrating  the  holy  tidings  of  each  neighborhood,  giv- 
ing and  receiving  sacred  instruction  and  consolation?  When  they 
approach  the  family  altar,  with  what  earnest  solicitude  will 
they  invoke  blessings  on  their  affectionate  host  and  his  family. 
How  cordially  do  they  desire  that  his  bread,  thus  cast  upon  the 
waters,  may  be  seen  after  many  days.    And  will  not  God  hear 


ROBERT    B.    SEMPLE.  307 

such  prayers?  We  answer,  that  he  will  hear,  and  grant  the 
hlessings  too." 

Connection  of  commands  and  promises. — "It  is  worthy  of  a 
believer's  notice,  that  God's  exhortations  are  so  frequently  ac- 
companied by  his  promises.  If  he  exhorts  us  to  work  out 
our  own  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling,  he  also  promises 
to  work  in  us  to  will  and  to  do  of  his  own  good  pleasure.  Now 
the  grace  of  God  works  in  us  through  faith,  and  the  support 
of  faith  is  the  promises  of  God.  Hence  we  are  said  to  live  by 
faith." 

Perseverance. — "The  true  believer  perseveres  in  proportion 
as  he  is  sanctified:  the  pretended  one,  as  he  is  gratified. 
The  one  holds  on  his  way,  though  surrounded  with  tempta- 
tions and  trials:  the  other  faints  when  persecutions  and  dis- 
tresses arise  on  account  of  the  word.  The  one,  like  the 
ship,  heads  up  to  the  anchor,  when  tempests  blow,  and  bil- 
lows rise;  the  other  is  carried  about  with  every  wind  of  temp- 
tation. The  one  will  finally  arrive  safely  in  the  port  of  ever- 
lasting rest;  while  the  other  will  be  wrecked  upon  the  rocks 
of  sinful  pursuits  never  to  rise  again.  It  will  always  appear 
that  apostates  greatly  disgrace  the  cause  in  which  they  engage, 
and  great,  no  doubt,  is  their  punishment.  In  this  world  they 
experience  severe  terrors  of  conscience,  called  in  scripture  a 
fearful  looking  for  of  judgment:  in  the  world  to  come,  like  the 
servant  that  knew  to  do  his  Masters  will  and  did  it  not,  they 
will  be  beaten  with  many  stripes.'' 

Christ inn  friendship. — "The  food  which  is  eaten  among 
friends,  at  the  hospitable  board,  seems  sweeter  'than  to  eat  our 
morse]  alone,'  This,  probably,  is  one  reason  why  the  primi- 
tive Christians  'did  eat  their  meat  with  gladness  and  singleness 
of  heart.'  Having  all  things  common,  they  were  mutually 
hosts,  and  guests  to  each  other.'' 

Self-examination. — "He  that  does  not  keep  his  heart  with 
all  diligence,  will  often  find  the  issues  of  death  instead  of  life. 
A  Christian  should  not  be  too  easily  satisfied  with  himself. 
By  close  examination  he  will  often  find  things  not  as  well  with- 


308  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

in,  as  he  had  supposed.  He  will  discover  secret  faults  which 
would  otherwise  lie  hid.  Hence  the  prayer  of  the  Psalmist, 
'cleanse  thou  me  from  secret  faults.' '' 

Disinterestedness. — Primitive  Christians  seem  to  have  for- 
gotten their  own  interest,  and  to  have  heen  wholly  absorbed 
in  that  of  their  Master.  No  man  called  aught  of  the  things 
which  he  possessed,  his  own.  So  much  were  they  divested  of 
self  and  self-interest,  that  they  accounted  it  an  honor  to  be 
whipped,  and  to  endure  ignominious  persecutions  for  Christ's 
sake.  Nothing  recommends  more  forcibly  the  Redeemer's 
cause  to  unbelievers,  than  an  unselfiish,  disinterested  spirit 
among  professors.  When  a  sinner's  mind  is  staggered  by  the 
arguments  of  the  gospel,  he  looks  around  at  the  conduct  and 
temper  of  the  friends  of  the  gospel.  If  he  sees  them  acting 
a  noble  and  disinterested  part,  and  ready  to  make  any  sacrifice 
to  promote  its  prosperity,  he  quickly  makes  up  a  favorable 
opinion.  But,  if  he  sees  a  selfish,  contracted,  scheming  spirit, 
pretty  generally  among  them,  he  either  gives  up  the  pursuit, 
or  turns  his  attention  to  some  other  denomination.  Much 
damage  has  been  done  to  the  cause  of  truth  by  a  selfish  spirit." 

Covetousncss. — "Covetousness  is  a  demon  that  haunts  the 
church.  This  spirit  is  the  more  deceptious,  because  it  assumes 
to  itself  the  names  of  virtue  and  duty.  Some  of  the  best  max- 
ims of  social  life  are  plausibly  quoted  to  justify  its  course.  He 
that  provideth  not  for  his  own,  has  denied  the  faith,  and  is 
worse  than  an  infidel;  industry  and  frugality  are  the  hand-maids 
of  Providence;  exercise  and  temperance  are  the  best  means  of 
health;  competence  and  independence,  are  necessary  to  happi- 
ness; something  for  my  family,  and  something  for  my  friend, 
enables  me  to  be  hospitable;  a  little  to  spare,  furnishes  a  fund 
for  the  poor  and  for  religious  expenses:  such  like  maxims  as 
these,  though  misapplied,  afford  ease  to  the  conscience  of  the 
covetous:  they  often  stint  their  family  under  the  pretext  of 
providing  for  them.  He  talks  of  preparing  something  for  the 
poor,  but  when  the  opportunity  offers,  he  finds  some  excuse  in 
the  unworthiness  of  the  object,  in  the  hardness  of  the  times,  or 


ROBERT    B.    SEMPLE.  309 

the  inconvenience  of  the  present  season.  He  talks  of  being 
sociable  with  a  friend,  but  seldom  or  never  finds  time  or  incli- 
nation to  attend  to  friends.  He  longs  for  wealth,  that  he  may 
be  liberal  to  religion,  but  his  sacrifices  are  rarely  to  be  fonnd 
upon  the  altar,  or  when  found,  consist  of  the  blind  or  broken, 
tho  maimed,  scurvy  or  scabbed.  The  love  of  money  is  the 
root  of  all  evil,  and  in  professors  of  piety  it  is  the  fountain  of 
many  sorrows,  the  source  of  many  errors,  and  the  wretched 
clog  of  every  noble  enterprize.  This  spirit  has  a  most  vora- 
cious appetite,  always  crying,  give!  give!  but,  unlike  any  other 
being,  its  appetite  increases  with  its  gratification,  and  the  more 
it  receives,  the  more  it  wants.  It  often  infects  the  minds  of 
both  preachers  and  people,  and  sets  them  at  variance.  The 
one  is  often  too  eager  to  receive,  the  other  too  willing  to  with- 
hold. Crimination  and  recrimination  are  frequently  the  result, 
while  the  sacred  cause  of  the  Redeemer  bleeds  from  every 
pore.  How  strong  are  the  words  of  our  Lord  against  this  pro- 
pensity!— Ye  cannot  serve  God  and  mammon.  It  is  easier 
for  a  camel  to  go  through  the  eye  of  a  needle,  than  for  those 
who  trust  in  riches  to  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven.'' 

Public  Worship. — "A  steady  attendance  upon  a  faithful 
gospel,  is  a  fountain  from  which  we  may  often  draw  and  drink 
the  spirit  of  holiness;  and  this,  more  especially,  if  we  combine 
with  it  a  diligent  reading  of  the  word  of  Christ,  until  it  dwells 
in  us  richly  in  all  wisdom." 

Mortification  of  sinful  appetites. — "Mortification  of  the  flesh 
is  indispensably  necessary.  Hence,  the  Lord  Jesus  speaks 
emphatically  about  self-denial  and  taking  up  the  cross,  and 
hence  Paul  declares,  that  he  was  in  'fastings  oft.'  It  seems 
pretty  obvious  also,  that  it  is  with  this  view  that  God  afflicts 
his  people.  He  turns  his  hand  upon  us,  that  he  may  thorough- 
ly purge  away  our  dross.  He  sees  that  the  flesh  must  be  mor- 
tified, and  what  the  saint  does  not  do  by  voluntary  self-denial, 
he  effects  by  his  chastening.'' 

The  church  subject  to  changes. — "The  true  church  is  some- 
times compared  to  the  moon,  and  like  her  she  waxes  and  wines. 
27 


310  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

Revivals  and  declensions  are  symptoms  of  God's  peculiar  people. 
Hence  it  is  said,  'when  the  Lord  turned  again  the  captivity  of 
Zion,  we  were  as  men  that  dream.  Then  were  our  mouths 
filled  with  laughter,  and  our  tongues  with  singing.'  On  the 
other  hand,  we  read  of  the  complaints  of  God's  people,  in 
times  of  declension.  'How  can  we  sing  the  songs  of  Zion,  in 
a  strange  land.  Our  harps  are  hung  upon  the  willows.'  How 
much  do  these  things  look  like  the  revivals  and  declensions 
among  God's  people,  of  the  present  generation?" 

Willingness  to  labor  for  God. — "A  laborious  spirit,  or  a  will- 
ingness to  labor  for  God  is  of  more  value  than  many  are  aware 
of.  Most  men  are  inquiring  for  talents,  and  ascribe  success, 
or  the  want  of  it,  to  the  presence  or  absence  of  talents.  Tal- 
ents certainly  have  their  weight;  but  what  are  talents  un- 
less they  are  occupied?  It  is  labor  which  renders  talents 
successful;  and  small  talents  well  occupied,  are  often  seen  ac- 
complishing more  for  the  cause  of  Christ,  than  very  conspicu- 
ous ones  used  only,  when  convenient.  Our  country  affords 
strong  proof  of  this  position.  We  have  seen  a  religious  estab- 
lishment entrenched  around  by  human  laws,  supported  by  pow- 
er and  wealth,  defended  by  preachers  of  learning  and  talents, 
pulled  down  to  the  base  by  illiterate  and  unpatronzed  ministers 
of  Christ.  To  an  experienced  man,  it  is  easily  explained. 
These  illiterate  men,  were  steady,  unwearied  laborers.  The 
others  were  idlers.  The  one  set  was,  as  the  ox  in  the  yoke, 
pulling  at  his  burthen;  the  other  was,  as  the  ox  in  the  stall, 
too  well  fed  and  too  fat  to  labor  much.  Every  day's  observa- 
tion shows  us  the  exceeding  benefit  of  a  laborious  spirit.  What 
great  things  have  even  private  members  effected  by  keeping 
their  eyes  steady  to  their  Master's  honor,  and  doing  such  work 
as  may  fall  to  their  share?  A  laborious  spirit  should  be  never 
laid  aside.  It  is  applicable  to  all  states  of  the  church.  The 
labor  may,  and  ought  to  be  varied;  but  the  spirit  must  remain. 
Like  the  industrious  husbandman,  who  finds  one  sort  of  work 
for  the  spring,  another  for  the  fall;  one  sort  for  '!ry,  and  ano- 
ther for   wet  weather,   the  diligent  servant  of  God  adapts  his 


ROBERT    a.    SEMPLE.  311 

work  to  the  season.  In  revivals,  in  declensions,  in  lively  or 
Languid  times,  in  discipline,  in  prayer  or  preaching  meetings, 
the  devoted  Christian  rinds  something  still  to  do;  and  this  is 
his  support  and  consolation,  that  his  labor  is  not  in  vain  in  the 
Lord.  He  knows  that  in  whatever  lawful  way  he  labors,  his 
reward  is  certain.  He  is  assured  that  both  he  that  soweth, 
and  he  that  reapeth,  shall  rejoice  together.  Let  not  these  re- 
marks be  exclusively  applied  to  ministers.  They  are  applica- 
ble to  private  individuals,  as  well  as  to  preachers.  All  have 
their  work  to  do,  and  all  should  be  at  it." 

Thus  ends  these  interesting  extracts.  The  biographer  will 
proceed  to  state,  that  not  only  were  the  piety  and  talents  of  Mr. 
Semple  highly  appreciated  within  his  own  state,  but  throughout 
the  whole  denomination  he  wielded  a  powerful  influence.  He 
was  every  where  known  as  a  man  of  unfeigned  devotion  to  Zi- 
on's  interests,  and  one  on  whotn  reliance  could  be  placed  in 
every  great  practical  effort.  In  the  year  1820,  he  was  elected 
president  of  the  Triennial  Convention,  which  station  he  filled 
to  the  time  of  his  death.  "This  election,''  he  remarks  in  his 
journal,  "although  flattering,  in  some  respects,  was  mortifying 
in  others."  The  idea  of  taking  the  place  which  might  have 
been  filled  by  other  aged  and  venerable  servants  of  God,  seemed 
to  distress  him.  "I  felt,  however,"  he  adds,  "much  of  the 
spirit  of  prayer,  and  hoped  that  God  would  overrule  it  for 
good.''  In  1815,  Brown  University,  Rhode-Island,  conferred 
on  him  the  honorary  degree  of  A.  M.  In  1814,  from  the  same 
University,  he  received  the  degree  of  D.  D.;  and,  in  1826,  the 
college  of  William  and  Mary  also  conferred  the  degree  of  D.  D. 
But  the  latter  honor  he  declined,  from  an  impression  that  he 
did  not  deserve  it:  as  also,  on  the  ground  that  it  was  altogether 
inconsistent  with  the  interests  of  religion,  and  in  contraven- 
tion to  the  express  command  of  Christ.  Unquestionably  he  de- 
served such  a  distinction  far  more  than  many  upon  whom  it  is 
bestowed;  yet,  aside  from  the  mandate  of  his  Lord,  his  unam- 
bitious spirit  would  not  allow  him  to  be  called  Rabbi,  and  thus 
in  title,  and  by  name,  to  be  elevated  above  his  brethren  in  the 


312  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

ministry.  As  early  as  the  year  1805,  he  was  invited  to  the 
presidency  of  Transylvania  University,  which  invitation  he  did 
not  conceive  it  his  duty  to  accept. 

While  our  venerated  brother  was  thus  permitted  to  reach  an 
honorable  eminence  in  usefulness  and  influence,  he  was  not 
without  the  experience  of  most  painful  trials.  These  were 
mostly  of  a  domestic  character.  His  place  of  residence  in 
King  and  Queen  county,  was  exceedingly  unhealthy,  and  his 
family  were  consequently  often  visited  with  sickness.  Of  twelve 
children,  only  four  were  living  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Says 
one  of  his  surviving  sons,  in  alluding  to  his  father's  trials: — 
"Besides  these  several  afflictions  caused  by  the  death  of  his 
children,  his  family's  health  was  in  a  most  precarious  state  for 
several  years,  which  was  a  source  of  constant  unhappiness  to 
him.  From  1825  to  1827,  his  home  was  a  perfect  hospital, 
from  which  disease  was  scarcely  ever  absent.  His  wife,  who 
was  always  his  comforter  in  affliction,  became  herself  deeply 
afflicted.  Of  a  family  of  sixty,  black  and  white,  I  have  known 
forty  to  be  ill  at  one  time.  There  were  not  enough  well,  at 
some  times,  to  attend  to  the  sick,  the  dying,  and  the  dead. 
Himself  at  the  time  in  good  health,  his  mind  was  deeply  exer- 
cised at  the  scene  around  him;  two  of  his  six  children,  just 
conveyed  to  the  tomb;  two  more  expected  every  moment  to 
follow  them;  and  his  wife,  the  strongest  tie  that  united  him  to 
earth,  prostrate  and  senseless  from  insatiate  disease.  It  was 
truly  a  situation,  that  was  calculated  to  call  forth  all  the  phi- 
losophy and  religion  he  could  command.  He  bore  it  as  a  Chris- 
tian. No  murmur  escaped  his  lips.  But  relying  upon  the  de- 
claration which  he  often  repeated,  that  'whom  the  Lord  loveth, 
he  chasteneth,'  he  awaited  the  issue  with  calm  and  Christian 
composure." 

Perhaps  some  of  the  most  shining  excellencies  of  this  good 
man's  character,  were  the  result  of  that  severe  discipline 
through  which  his  heavenly  Father  saw  it  necessary  to  lead 
him.  Those  who  are  deservedly  esteemed  as  ministers  of 
Christ,  are  liable  to  be  exalted  above  measure,  amid  the  many 


ROBERT    B.    SEMPLE.  313 

kind  attentions  they  receive  from  their  Christian  brethren. 
Pride  is  easily  engendered  in  the  exercise  of  gifts  which  God 
bestows,  and  which  ought  to  be  wholly  employed  in  his  glory. 
Under  these  circumstances,  a  thorn  in  the  flesh  may  be  need- 
ful; and  He  who  is  all-wise  to  ascertain  the  necessity,  will,  in 
paternal  love,  cause  it  to  be  experienced.  And  not  unfrequent- 
ly  does  he  carry  through  the  furnace  of  affliction,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  calling  into  livelier  exercise  the  graces  of  his  Holy 
Spirit,  and  to  prepare  fur  more  eminent  usefulness  in  his  king- 
dom. Some  of  the  most  distinguished  of  God's  people  for  hu- 
mility and  aclive  devotion  to  the  honor  of  Christ,  have  known 
what  it  is,  often  to  drink  the  bitter  cup  of  affliction.  Thus  it 
was  with  the  venerated  Sample,  as  stated  in  the  letter  of  his 
son.  The  following,  communication,  addressed  to  a  beloved 
friend,  immediately  after  the  death  of  one  of  his  grown  sons, 
will  afford  some  idea  of  the  slate  of  his  mind  at  that  painful 
hour. 

"May  24th,  1822. 
"Dear  sir: 

Yours  of  the  twenty-first  instant,  directed  to  my  dear  John, 
reached  me,  just  as  Mr.  Broaddus  was  about  to  commence  his 
funeral  sermon.  He  left  us  on  Wednesday,  about  twenty  min- 
utes after  nine  o'clock.  His  evidences  of  divine  acceptance, 
seemed  to  brighten  as  he  approached  his  dissolution.  He  said 
to  several  of  his  friends,  that  death  had  no  terror  to  him,  that 
he  had  no  desire  to  live,  for  his  own  sake:  that  except  for  the 
sake  of  his  connexions,  especially  his  parents,  he  would  rather 
die  than  live.  He  said  to  one  of  his  young  friends  who  had 
paid  him  great  attention,  I  have  witnessed,  that 

'Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 
Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are.' 

He  was  manifestly  dying  all  day  on  Tuesday,  but  on  Tuesday 
night  he  began  to  sink  rapidly,  and  I  was  sent  for,  having 
been  called  from  home  on  ministerial  duties.  He  said  to  his 
friend,  Dr.  Fleet,  has  my  father  been  sent  for?  he  told  him 
yes.  Well,  said  he,  I  hope  my  pulse  will  hold  out  until  he 
27* 


314  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

comes.  This  was  just  the  case,  I  found  him  on  my  arrival 
a  little  after  sunrise,  in  his  senses,  and  dying  fast.  He  gave 
me  his  hand  affectionately,  but  said  not  much.  His  debility 
was  so  great  that  he  could  not  speak  but  with  great  exertion. 
He  died  apparently  very  easy.  My  reflections  on  his  death, 
are  mixed  with  pleasure  and  pain.  When  I  think  of  my  loss, 
and  the  loss  of  my  remaining  family,  it  is  painful  beyond  de- 
scription, but  when  I  consider  him  as  called  by  his  gracious 
Redeemer  to  his  precious  embraces,  I  am  filled  with  holy  de- 
light. The  attention  paid  him  by  his  and  my  friends,  while 
here,  and  on  his  travels,  exceeded  my  most  sanguine  hopes. 
I  owe  them  a  debt  of  gratitude  which  I  must  forever  owe. 
Your  kindness  was  never  named  by  him  but  with  the  most 
tender  emotions.  He  seemed  to  think  there  never  was  any 
thing  like  it  before.  Oh!  how  shall  I  do  justice  to  such  disin- 
terested friendship.  As  I  cannot  make  you  suitable  returns, 
I  hope  my  heavenly  Father  will  abundantly  bless  you.  His 
weakness,  towards  the  last,  was  such  as  to  render  it  necessary 
for  him  to  see  but  few  of  his  friends.  This  was  very  painful 
to  him,  when  any  came  and  could  not  see  him.  Indeed,  we 
were  obliged  not  to  let  him  know  when  they  came,  lest  it 
might  excite  him  too  much.  How  deep,  how  unfathomable 
are  the  ways  of  God!  If  we  had  the  direction  of  the  shafts 
of  death,  how  differently  should  we  have  sent  them.  But  He 
does  all  things  well. 

'Peace,  all  our  angry  passions  then, 

Let  each  rebellious  sigh 
Be  silent  at  his  sovereign  will, 

And  every  murmur  die.'  " 

There  is  some  reason  to  believe  that  his  own  health,  and 
perhaps  his  life,  became  a  sacrifice  to  the  variety  and  pressure 
of  those  toils  in  which  he  felt  it  his  duty  to  engage.  When 
he  left  King  and  Queen  county,  in  1827,  he  remained-  awhile 
in  Washington,  but  at  length  settled  in  Fredericksburg.  The 
management  of  college  concerns,  on  the  one  hand,  devolving  on 
him,  and  the  care  of  the  Bruington  church  on  the    other,  it 


ROUERT    B.    SEMPLE.  315 

was  necessary  to  travel  much,  both  to  King  and  Queen,  a  dis- 
tance of  sixty  miles,  and  then  to  the  city  of  Washington.  In 
addition,  he  engaged  to  preach  twice  in  each  month  in  Fred- 
ericksburg, and  once  in  Washington.  In  reference  to  his  de- 
clining strength,  in  writing  to  a  brother,  dated  May,  1831,  he 
remarks:  "I  have  nearly  determined  against  attempting  the 
ride  to  Lynchburg.  I  think  it  too  much  for  me.  This  is  the 
first  General  Association  I  have  missed,  if  I  miss  this,  and  I 
assure  you  I  do  it  with  great  reluctance.  But  the  wheels  of 
nature  will  run  on  in  spite  of  us,  and  we  must  feel  the  wearings 
of  time.  I  am  now  upon  the  list  of  the  silver  greys,  and  can 
only  fight  when  there  is  not  a  great  deal  of  marching." 

Though  his  health  had  become  impaired  during  the  year 
1881,  it  was  little  expected  that  he  was  soon  to  he  removed 
from  the  sphere  of  labor  in  which  he  was  so  usefully  engaged. 
But  He,  whose  judgments  are  unsearchable,  was  preparing 
him  for  a  dismissal  from  the  toils  of  earth,  and  an  introduction 
to  the  repose  of  another,  and  a  better  world.  It  is  a  deeply 
interesting  fact,  that  the  last  year  of  Ins  life  was  crowned 
with  the  special  indications  of  divine  favor.  The  church  at 
Bruington,  which  had  previously  suffered  in  consequence  of 
erroneous  sentiments,  imbibed  by  some  of  its  members,  expe- 
rienced a  season  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 
The  venerable  pastor,  in"  the  month  of  September,  baptized, 
at  one  time,  thirty-two,  and  before  his  death,  had  the  unspeak- 
able gratification  of  seeing  more  than  one  hundred  obey  their 
Lord  in  baptism,  and  unite  with  the  Bruington  church.  Like 
Simeon,  with  the  blessed  Saviour  in  his  arms,  he  was  ready 
to  say:  "Lord,  now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace, 
for  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation."  His  last  visit  to  Bru- 
ington was  made  about  three  weeks  before  his  death.  It  is 
thought,  although  he  was  then  enjoying  his  usual  health,  that 
he  had  some  presentiment  of  his  approaching  end.  His  text 
on  Saturday  was  selected  from  2  Corinthians  xiii,  11;  "Finally 
brethren,''  &e.  It  was  the  sentiment  of  many  who  heard  him, 
that  he  would  soon  be  taken  from  them.     The  last  sermon  he 


316  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

was  allowed  to  preach,  was  founded  on  Exodus  xv,  11.  Re- 
turning home,  he  found  himself  affected  by  the  extremely  in- 
clement weather,  through  which  he  was  compelled  to  ride. 

When  it  was  suggested  by  some  of  his  family  that  it  was 
probably  necessary  he  should  go  to  Washington  to  attend  to 
some  business  connected  with  the  college,  he  replied,  that  he 
felt  like  a  dead  man,  and  could  not  venture  from  home  again. 
Shortly  after,  he  was  seized  by  a  chill,  and  continued  to  grow 
more  unwell,  until  his  disease  began  to  assume  a  dangerous 
form.  During  the  early  stage  of  his  sickness,  he  requested 
his  daughter,  whom  a  few  weeks  previous  he  had  baptized,  to 
read  for  him  the  first  chapter  of  Phiiippians,  and  frequently 
referred  to  it  afterwards,  in  his  conversation  with  those  around 
him.  Until  within  a  day  of  his  death,  nothing  serious  was 
apprehended  by  the  family.  But  death  had  marked  him  as 
his  victim.  The  following  letter,  written  by  his  son  to  the 
editor  of  the  Herald,  will  state  more  explicitly  the  circum- 
stances of  his  sickness  and  death. 

Woodlavm,  December  25,  1831. 
"Dear  sir: 

The  melancholy  duty   devolves  on  me  to  announce  to  you 

the  death  of  my  venerable  father.     He  left  us   this  morning 

at  ten  minutes  before   10  o'clock.     He   was  seized   this  day 

week  with  a  fever  which  we  all  thought   was  nothing   more 

than  the  influenza,  which  is  now  raging  in  our  neighborhood. 

Monday   morning  a  physician  was  called  in,  who   pronounced 

it  a  pleurisy,  but  so  mild  in  its  features,  as  not  to  create   any 

alarm  in  his,  or  our  feelings.     It  gradually  grew  more  serious 

in  its  character  till  Friday,  when   he  despatched  a  messenger 

for  my  brother,  the  only  one  of  his  children  absent,  and  whom, 

to  his  last  moments,  he  expressed  a  great  desire  to  see.     He 

declined  rapidly   from   Friday   until   this  morning,   (Sunday,) 

when  he  expired   without  a  struggle  or  a  groan.     From   the 

first   moment  of  his   attack,  he  affirmed  that  it  would   be  his 

last  illness,  and  so  impressed  was  he  with  that  thought,  that 

the  remedies  prescribed  failed  to  effect  the  desired  results,  as 


ROBERT    B.    SEMPLE.  317 

his  physician  believes,  from  the  great  influence  which  his  mind 
exercised  over  his  body. 

"He  died  as  he  lived,  a  bright  and  shining  Christian.  His 
frequent  ejaculation  was,  'I  am  anxious  to  depart  and  be  with 
Christ.'  Tuesday  afternoon,  he  sunk  into  a  comatose  state  from 
which  it  was  difficult  to  awake  him.  On  one  occasion  he  awoke 
with  a  placid  smile  on  his  countenance,  and  said  to  me,  'Oh 
ask  brother  Ball  to  come  here  again.'  What  brother  Ball? 
said  I.  'Mr.  Eli  Ball,'  he  replied;  'is  he  not  here?'  No,  said  I. 
'Well,'  he  observed,  'I  thought  he  was  conversing  with  me 
just  now.'  He  again  sunk  into  this  state,  and  made  no  other 
remark  till  some  time  during  the  night,  he  awoke  up  in  the 
same  way,  and  said,  'This  night  forty-two  years  ago,  I  preached 
my  first  sermon;'  and  then,  inarticulately  said,  'I  have  fought 
a  good  fight,  I  have  kept  the  faith.9  I  have  never  seen  such 
perfect  composure.  He  requested  me,  early  yesterday  after- 
noon, to  look  into  a  certain  drawer  in  his  secretary,  and  bring 
his  will.  I  did  so,  when  at  his  request  I  read  it  aloud  to  him. 
♦Well,'  said  he,  'I  am  satisfied;  my  spiritual  condition  is  such 
as  I  wish  it;  I  can  depart  in  peace.  The  great  divisions  in 
the  churches  sometimes  make  me  unhappy,  but  I  hope  they 
will  be  healed.'  Such  were  some  of  his  dying  observations. 
I  give  them  in  great  haste,  and  under  feelings  you  can  more 
readily  conceive,  than  I  describe." 

Thus  fell  one  whom  God  and  men  delighted  to  honor.  The 
intelligence  of  his  death,  as  it  passed  from  one  circle  to  another, 
caused  many  a  bosom  to  heave  with  emotion  and  many  a  tear 
to  fall  from  eyes  unused  to  weep.  By  hundreds  he  was  most 
tenderly  loved  as  a  father  in  the  gospel,  and  by  most  of  the 
churches  in  Virginia  he  was  regarded  as  a  judicious  counsellor, 
and  devoted  friend.  All  felt  that  a  chasm  was  created,  which 
could  not  be  easily  filled.  In  his  removal  the  whole  denomina- 
tion sustained  a  loss.  Throughout  the  United  States  the  name 
of  Semple  was  associated  with  all  that  is  lovely  and  of  goo 
report:  and  his  active,  untiring  co-operation  in  plans  of  benevo- 
lence, had  placed  him  among  the  principal  standard-bearers  in 


318  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

the  army  of  the  Lord.  A  discourse,  occasioned  by  this  mourn- 
ful event,  was  delivered  by  Elder  Robert  Ryland,  then  pastor 
of  the  second  Baptist  church,  Lynchburg.  A  discourse  was 
also  delivered  by  the  pastor  of  the  second  Baptist  church,  in 
the  city  of  Richmond,  from  1  Samuel  ix,  1,19.  In  this  address 
the  speaker  took  occasion  to  refer  to  the  lively  interest  which 
the  lamented  Semple  had  taken  in  the  welfare  of  the  second 
church,  particularly  in  its  early  history.  Another  funeral  ser- 
mon was  preached  at  Bruington,  before  the  church  of  which 
he  had  been  pastor  for  so  many  years.  An  individual  who 
was  present,  thus  refers  to  the  solemnities  of  that  day: 

"The  funeral  of  this  eminent  servant  of  God,  took  place  at 
Bruington,  on  the  5th  instant.  The  occasion  was  the  most 
solemn  and  imposing  we  ever  witnessed.  Though  the  day 
was  inclement,  the  large  meeting-house  was  crowded  with  a 
weeping  congregation.  Every  eye,  as  it  entered  the  house, 
was  fixed  upon  the  vacant  pulpit,  which  was  hung  around  with 
crape,  until  the  suffusing  tear  obscured  the  sight.  A  thousand 
sighs  that  burst  from  as  many  feeling  hearts,  and  the  tear  that 
bedewed  every  dejected  countenance,  spoke  in  a  language  that 
all  could  understand,  how  much  that  venerable  old  man  of  God 
was  esteemed.  The  funeral  sermon  was  delivered  by  the  Rev. 
Andrew  Broaddus.  The  religious  services  were  opened  with 
the  following  hymn,  from  Dr.  Rippon's  selection: 

'Lord,  when  we  see  a  saint  of  thine, 

Lie  gasping  out  his  breath, 
With  longing  eyes  and  looks  divine, 

Smiling  and  pleased  with  death.' 

"The  throne  of  grace  was  then  addressed  by  the  Rev.  Philip 
Montague  in  an  impressive  manner.  The  text  selected  for  the 
occasion  was  taken  from  2  Tim.  iv,  6,  7,  8,  'I  am  now  ready  to 
be  offered,'  &c.y 

The  following  are  the  closing  remarks  of  this  discourse: — 
''May  1  not  say,  brethren,  that  what  he  preached  to  others,  he 
lived  himself?  It  is  not  my  intention,  in  what  I  am  saying,  to 
delineate  a  strictly  perfect  and  faultless  character.     No!  were  I 


ROBERT    B.    SEMPLE.  31 9 

to  attempt  this,  I  should  seem  to  myself,  to  see  the  spirit  of  my 
departed  friend  looking  down  on  me  with  a  frown  of  disappro- 
bation. No!  as  one  of  the  fallen  family  of  Adam  restored  by 
grace  to  a  spiritual  life,  he  still  felt  and  mourned  the  lingerings 
of  the  mortal  disease,  and  'a  sinner  saved  by  grace,'  was  the 
motto  which  he  wore. 

"Still,  however,  I  may  justly  say,  that  he  lived  himself  what 
he  preached  to  others.  No  self-denial  was  inculcated  on  others 
which  he  was  not  willing  to  undergo;  no  religious  and  moral 
duties  enjoined  which  did  not  practice.  Nor  did  he  appear 
to  suffer  himself  to  be  engrossed  by  one  class  of  duties,  so  as  to 
disregard  and  neglect  another.  Standing  in  different  relations 
in  life,  it  appeared  to  be  his  aim,  (as  it  ought  to  be  the  aim  of 
all,)  to  estimate  each  of  these  relations  according  to  its  import- 
ance, and  give  his  attendance  to  each  accordingly.  He  knew, 
indeed,  that  there  are  no  duties  which  really  clash  with  each 
other;  they  only  appear  so,  when  we  do  not  pay  a  just  regard 
to  the  various  relations  which  we  occupy. 

"Thus,  with  a  zeal  that  never  grew  cold — with  a  persever- 
ance that  never  tired,  did  our  much  esteemed  brother  hold  on 
his  course,  exposing  himself,  I  suspect,  even  beyond  the  bounds 
of  prudence,  till  the  last  fatal  disease  laid  him  on  the  bed  of 
affliction  and  death,  to  call  him  from  his  labors,  to  that  eternal 
'rest  which  remains  for  the  people  of  God.' 

"Indulge  me  a  little  further.  I  shall  presently  be  done  with 
this  sketch,  and  bid  you  adieu.  Some  have  remarked,  from 
the  traces  of  my  friend's  countenance,  that  he  seemed  to  pos- 
sess, by  nature,  a  temper  and  disposition  bordering  on  the  aus- 
tere. Allowing  this  to  have  been  the  case,  we  ought  the  more 
to  admire  the  influence  nf  that  heavenly  grace,  which,  from  its 
throne  within,  shone  so  obviously  through  his  features,  soften- 
ing the  whole  into  a  kindly  expression,  and  giving  a  moral 
lustre  to  his  countenance.  Yes;  we  ought  to  admire  that 
heavenly  grace,  which  wrought  in  his  soul  Christian  conde- 
scension and  affability  towards  the  lowly,  and  Christian  benevo- 
lence towards  all  classes. 


820  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

"My  friends!  have  I  said  too  much? — Have  I  said  enough? — 
At  least  I  have  aimed  to  be  faithful,  in  this  imperfect  sketch 
of  our  departed  brother.  And  now  I  am  done  with  the  charac- 
ter: and  here  we  are  about  to  bid  our  lamented  and  beloved  bro- 
ther Semple,  a  solemn  adieu!  He  is  gone! — No  more  shall  we 
see  him  here  among  us!  No  more  shall  the  eyes,  now  darkened 
with  the  shadow  of  death,  rest  on  the  sacred  page  of  this  pulpit 
bible!  No  more  shall  the  lips,  now  sealed  up  in  silence,  speak 
forth  to  you  the  message  of  life!  But  long  and  deep  in  the  heart 
shall  his  memory  be  embalmed.  And  hark! — there  is  a  voice 
that  tells  me  we  shall  see  him  again!  Though  death  presses 
heavily  on  him,  and  waves  over  him  his  iron  sceptre,  it  is  but 
a  short-lived  reign  which  he  holds — and  the  immortal  Judge 
comes  to  release  his  servant — all  his  servants  from  the  dominion 
of  the  tyrant.  Yes;  brother  of  my  soul,  I  shall  see  thee  again. 
Semple  will  arise.  All  the  saints  shall  arise,  dressed  in  immor- 
tal robes,  for  'the  marriage  of  the  Lamb.'  The  chain  of  death 
shall  be  broken; — the  prison  doors  of  the  grave  shall  burst 
asunder — and  the  redeemed  shall  come  forth  to  sing  the  song 
of  triumph,  and  gather  around  the  throne  in  deathless  felicity. 
O  my  friends  are  we  ready  for  that  great  meeting? — Christians, 
are  you  watching? — Are  your  lamps  trimmed — your  lights 
burning — your  spirits  waiting  for  the  coming  of  the  Bride- 
groom? My  unconverted  friends,  are  you  lamenting  that  you 
have  not  hearkened  to  the  voice  you  can  hear  no  more?  Will 
you  now  turn  to  God? — will  you  now  come  to  Christ,  who  ever 
lives?  O  turn!  that  you  may  meet  the  Judge  in  peace — and 
your  old  preacher  and  all  the  redeemed   in  glory. — Farewell." 


WILLIAM     LEIGH. 

William  Leigh  was  born  in  the  year  1761.  In  his  17th 
year  he  became  a  subject  of  conversion,  and  a  short  time  after 
joined  the  Baptist  church.     The   profession  thus  made   was 


JAMES    ItUCKS.  321 

adurned  by  a  consistent  life.  It  is  not  known  at  what  precise 
period  he  entered  the  ministry,  but  having  been  called  to  pre- 
side over  Petsworth  church,  Gloucester  county,  he  retained 
this  position  for  twenty-five  years,  and  is  said  to  have  been 
happily  instrumental  in  causing  many  to  seek  the  remission  of 
their  sins.  When  brought  to  a  bed  of  sickness,  his  mind  was 
composed,  being  stayed  upon  Him  in  whom  he  had  believed, 
and  to  whom  he  had  committed  the  interests  of  his  soul.  He 
died  at  his  own  dwelling,  in  Gloucester  county,  March  22, 1832. 


JAMES    RUCKS. 

Elder  James  Rucks  was  born  in  Chesterfield  county,  Jan. 
22nd,  1751.  In  his  28th  year,  he  became  a  professor  of  relig- 
ion, and  united  with  Skinquarter  church,  in  his  native  county. 
Shortly  after  his  mind  became  concerned  respecting  his  duty 
to  publish  the  gospel,  and  after  much  prayerful  reflection,  re- 
solved to  preach  Christ  and  him  crucified  to  his  fellow  men. 

For  thirteen  years  he  continued  to  labor  in  various  direc- 
tions, in  his  Master's  work.  At  length  he  was  called  by  Toma- 
hawk church,  to  go  in  and  out  before  them  as  their  spiritual 
shepherd.  He  was  ordained  August  11th,  1792;  Elders  Clay, 
Smith,  and  Watkins  officiating  as  the  presbytery.  His  con- 
nexion with  the  church  as  pastor  was  retained  six  years,  when, 
in  consequence  of  delicate  health,  he  was  compelled  to  resign. 
For  twelve  years  he  suffered  so  much  with  infirmity  of  body 
that  he  was  unable  to  walk.  He  still  preached,  frequently  at 
his  own  dwelling,  and  at  Skinquarter  meetinghouse.  When 
unable  to  stand  alone,  he  was  borne  to  his  horse  by  brethren, 
and  then  into  the  house  of  God,  where  seated  in  a  chair,  he 
addressed  his  fellow  men  on  eternal  things. 

He  was  always  considered   a   plain,  experimental  preacher, 
being  often  exceedingly  zealous  in  his  appeals  to  the  congre- 
gation.    He  died  May  12,  1818. 
28 


322 


BIOGRAPHY    OF 


EDWARD     KELLY, 


Elder  Edward  Kelly  was  one  of  the  most  esteemed  and 
useful  Baptist  ministers  of  south-western  "Virginia.  Though 
a  man  of  plain  understanding  and  limited  opportunities,  by  a 
course  of  unblemished  piety,  and  patient  labor  in  the  cause  of 
his  divine  Master,  he  accomplished  more  than  many  learned, 
but  less  devoted  men.  When  he  commenced  the  ministry,  he 
resided  in  a  comparatively  new  country,  and  therefore  was 
the  less  disqualified  by  uncultivated  mind  for  the  duties  of  his 
station. 

He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Washington  Associa- 
tion, and  his  ministry  was  mostly  confined  to  the  counties  of 
Scott  and  Russel.  His  labors  were  blessed  to  a  remarkable 
extent  in  the  conversion  of  sinners.  In  1801  especially,  a 
season  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  was  en- 
joyed, when  two  or  three  hundred  souls  were  brought  into  the 
fold  of  Christ,  and  two  or  three  new  churches  constituted.  He 
continued  from  time  to  time  to  be  blessed  in  his  ministrations. 
As  he  advanced  in  years,  he  increased  in  the  affections  of  the 
people,  and  finally  came  down  to  his  grave  like  a  shock  of 
corn  fully  ripe.  He  has  been  but  a  few  years  dismissed  from 
his  stewardship. 


ROBERT     LATHAM,* 


Robert  Latham  was  born  in  the  county  of  Culpepper,  on 
the  2nd  of  November,  1769.  His  parents  were  members  of 
the  Baptist  church,  and  of  respectable  standing  in  civil  society. 
He  was  baptized  when  about  20  years  of  age,  and  joined  some 
church  in  Culpepper  county.  He  was  married  shortly  after  to 
Miss  CundirT,  of  respectable  family,  in  the  county  of  Prince 
William,  where  he  settled,  and  pursued  the  business  of  a  carpen- 

*By  Elder  George  Love. 


KOnERT    LATHAM  323 

tcr  for  some  time;  then  became  a  farmer.  He  moved  his  mem- 
bership from  Culpepper  to  the  Litlle  river  church  in  Loudon 
county,  near  to  the  Prince  William  line;  and  commenced 
speaking  in  public  about  1800  or  '7,  and  was  ordained  about 
1809.  In  this  year  he  became  the  pastor  of  Little  river  church. 
In  June,  1810,  he  took  the  charge  of  Long  branch  church,  in 
Fauquier.  He  also  preached  for  a  while  to  a  congregation  in 
Prince  William,  where  in  1812  a  church  was  constituted, 
called  Bethlehem,  of  which  he  became  the  pastor. 

In  consequence  of  a  misunderstanding  between  him  and  the 
church  at  Little  river  in  1824,  the  pastoral  connexion  was  dis- 
solved, and  he  joined  the  church  at  Bethlehem.  In  1827  the 
connexion  between  him  and  the  church  at  Long  branch  was 
dissolved. 

His  system  was  high  Calvinism,  and  to  some  he  seemed  to 
border  on  fatalism,  but  this  he  himself  denied  as  a  consequence 
growing  out  of  his  views.  He  could  not  however  see  the 
consistency  of  holding  to  salvation  by  grace,  and  exhorting  sin- 
ners to  the  exercise  of  evangelical  repentance,  faith,  &c.  Not- 
withstanding these  views,  it  is  believed  that  he  had  occasionally 
considerable  conflicts  of  mind  upon  these  subjects.  At  one 
period  he  spoke  to  the  writer  of  this  article  in  very  high  terms 
of  Fuller's  Essays,  and  seemed  as  if  his  difficulties  were  re- 
moved; but  this  did  not  abide.  He  appeared  to  fraternise  freely 
with  his  brethren  who  differed  from  him,  and  when  warm  in 
his  feelings,  and  out  of  sight  of  his  system,  would  preach  very 
acceptably  upon  practical  and  experimental  subjects.  He  was 
unassuming  in  his  ministerial  character,  humble  as  a  Christian, 
and  exemplary  in  his  moral  deportment.  He  departed  this 
life  on  the  15th  of  April,  1833.  The  Columbia  Association 
at  their  session  in  Aug.  1833,  instructed  a  committee  to  draw 
up  some  article  relative  to  his  decease.  Upon  the  report  of 
the  committee,  the  following  article  was  adopted  by  the  asso- 
ciation: 

"The  association  sympathise  with  the  church  at  Bethle- 
hem, and  with  his  bereaved  family,  in  the  death   of  our  aged 


324  BIOGRAPHY   OF 

and  venerable  brother,  Elder  Robert  Latham.  He  was  called 
by  the  grace  of  God  in  early  life,  to  the  knowledge  and  pro- 
fession of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  and  through  a  long  life 
was  enabled  to  keep  the  faith,  and  to  contend  for  it.  His 
life  was  a  living  comment  on  the  blessed  gospel  he  preached 
to  others,  his  guide  through  life  and  his  support  in  the  hour  of 
death.  While  we  sorrow  'that  we  shall  see  his  face  no  more,' 
we  are  consoled,  with  his  numerous  friends,  by  the  considera- 
tion that  his  death  was  as  happy  as  his  life  had  been  holy  and 
useful.     He  came  to  his  grave  in  peace." 

His  first  wife  made  no  profession  of  religion.  By  her  he 
had  four  children,  two  of  them  are  still  living.  His  second 
wife  was  Miss  Sarah  Rust,  a  Baptist  lady,  who  yet  survives 
him. 


WILLIAM     RICHARDS, 


Elder  William  Richards  was  born  in  Essex  county,  1763, 
01  highly  respectable  parents.  At  the  early  age  of  eighteen, 
it  pleased  God  to  translate  him  from  darkness  into  his  marvel- 
ous light,  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  Baptists.  He 
had  enjoyed  the  opportunity  of  hearing  some  of  their  most  zeal- 
ous preachers,  and  was  won  by  the  truths  which  they  proclaim- 
ed. At  that  time,  in  his  native  county,  the  Episcopal  church 
was  the  popular  sect,  while  the  Baptists  were  every  where  spo- 
ken against.  It  need  not  therefore  excite  surprise,  that  his 
relations  and  friends  should  be  violently  opposed  to  his  immer- 
sion. Every  expedient  was  resorted  to  that  it  might  be  pre- 
vented. But,  having  examined  the  scriptures,  and  learned  the 
path  of  duty,  he  was  immovable  in  his  determination  to  pursue 
it.  He  became  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  in  1781.  It 
was  his  portion  to  suffer  many  painful  trials,  as  a  follower  of 
the  Redeemer.  All  these,  however,  were  borne  with  Christian 
meekness;  and  such  was  the  manifest  influence  of  the  gospel 
in  purifying  his  heart  and  life,   that  the  mouths  of  gainsayers 


WILLIAM    RICHARDS.  325 

were  at  length  stopped,  and  he  was  no  longer  the  subject  of 
contempt  and  persecution.  Those  who  had  most  ridiculed 
were  compelled  to  respect  him  as  a  good  man. 

Very  soon  after  this  change  he  conceived  it  his  duty  to 
preach  the  gospel.  His  earliest  attempts  at  public  speaking 
were  unpromising;  and  by  many  it  was  judged  that  he  would 
never  stand  high  as  a  preacher.  But  in  this  their  judgment 
was  erroneous.  It  should  be  stated,  that  most  of  his  first  ef- 
forts were  made  in  North  Carolina;  but  in  1794,  he  was  indu- 
ced to  remove  to  the  county  of  Mecklinburg,  Va.  Here  he 
spent  the  remnant  of  his  life;  and  with  justice  it  may  be  said, 
that  few  men  within  a  similar  sphere  of  labor,  have  riseu  to 
greater  eminence  than  he,  especially  as  it  regards  the  purity 
of  his  life. 

The  same  year  he  removed  from  North  Carolina  he  was 
chosen  pastor  of  Blue  Stone,  now  called  Bethel  church.  In 
1799,  a  considerable  revival  was  experienced,  which  resulted 
in  the  accession  of  more  than  one  hundred  members.  The  year 
previous  he  consented  to  serve  as  their  pastor,  Sandy  creek 
church,  Charlotte  county,  and  in  1802,  a  most  refreshing  sea- 
son commenced,  which  continued  for  eighteen  months;  and 
during  which  a  large  number  were  added.  His  labors  were 
extended  to  different  parts  of  Mecklinburg,  Lunenburg,  and 
Charlotte,  for  many  years,  to  the  joy  and  edification  of  the  peo- 
ple of  God. 

His  principal  attention,  however,  was  given  to  Blue  Stone, 
or  Bethel,  this  church  being  in  the  vicinity  of  his  own  residence. 
Very  few  country  churches  in  Virginia  have  exceeded  Bethel 
in  its  influence  and  usefulness.  In  their  pastor  they  found  an 
example  of  Christian  loveliness,  and  in  most  respects  they  fol- 
lowed him,  as  he  followed  Christ.  They,  with  their  pastor, 
were  not  only  prompt  in  their  labors  for  the  salvation  of  sin- 
ners, at  home,  but  made  vigorous  efforts  on  behalf  of  the  wretch- 
ed heathen  in  distant  lands.  For  many  years  they  were  in  the 
habit  of  raising  a  large  sum  for  foreign  missions,  while  the  bi- 
28* 


326  biography    or 

ble  cause,  and  other  good  objects,  received  their  hearty  ap- 
proval, and  liberal  contributions. 

Elder  Richards  was  highly  distinguished  for  the  unaffected 
simplicity  of  his  character.  Whether  in  the  family,  or  ming- 
ling in  society,  or  in  the  pulpit,  there  was  the  same  unassum- 
ing artlessness  of  manner.  This  softness  and  meekness  were 
uot  merely  the  result  of  natural  temperament.  In  this  respect 
he  was  willing  to  say,   "by  the  grace  of  God,  lam  what  I  am." 

While  he  was  thus  exhibiting  the  harmlessness  of  the  dove, 
he  was  not  deficient  in  firmness.  When  truth  was  to  be  de- 
fended, or  discipline  in  the  church  enforced,  he  was  resolute 
in  purpose  to  discharge  his  duty.  He  was  an  excellent 
disciplinarian.  No  abuses  were  allowed  to  remain  uncorrect- 
ed, nor  did  transgression  among  his  brethren  pass  unrebuked. 
A  mighty  sanction  was  given  to  his  influence  in  supporting  a 
wholesome  discipline  in  the  church,  by  his  own  bright  Chris- 
tian example.  None  could  look  at  his  life,  without  being  com- 
pelled to  approve  and  admire.  Nor  was  his  influence  in  ruling 
well  among  his  brethren  confined  to  the  churches  he  served. 
It  was  felt  in  the  Meherrin  Association,  over  which,  as  Mode- 
rator, he  presided  fur  a  number  of  years.  This  body  owed 
much  of  its  strength  and  efficiency  to  his  labors.  In  its  early 
history,  he  was  in  the  habit  of  passing  almost  every  year 
among  its  churches,  supplying  the  destitute  with  the  preached 
word,  and  giving  encouragement  and  support  to  those  which 
were  feeble.  At  their  annual  meetings,  he  occupied  the  chair 
with  peculiar  dignity,  awing  into  silence  the  turbulent,  while 
all  the  members  of  the  body  were  compelled  to  respect  and 
love  him. 

Asa  preacher  he  was  esteemed;  among  the  more  judicious 
and  pious,  highly  so,  not  for  profundity  of  thought,  or  ele- 
gance of  diction,  but  the  peculiar  simplicity  and  energy  with 
which  scriptural  truth  was  exhibited.  He  always  gave  evi- 
dence that  the  subject  of  his  discourse  had  been  well  studied. 
It  is  true  he  had  not  access  to  a  well  furnished  library.  This, 
had  it  been  practicable,  would  have  yielded    peculiar  satisfac- 


WILLIAM     CBEATH.  327 

tion.  His  principal  works  of  research,  were  the  bible  and 
concordance,  from  these  he  collected  and  arranged  such  argu- 
ments and  illustrations  as  his  subjects  required.  He  was  pre- 
eminently a  preacher  of  the  cross.  To  dwell  cm  the  person 
and  work  of  Emanuel  was  his  chief  delight.  Many  now 
living  can  well  remember  the  impassioned  and  yet  artless 
simplicity  of  manner  with  which  the  plan  of  salvation  was  ex- 
plained and  recommended. 

For  several  years  before  his  death,  feebleness  of  body  com- 
pelled him  to  relinquish  all  his  pastoral  connexions.  Still  the 
house  of  God  was  not  forsaken.  Nothing  furnished  a  richer 
satisfaction  than  the  society  of  his  Christian  brethren,  and  the 
services  of  public  worship.  But  at  length  the  hour  of  his  dis- 
missal came,  and  it  found  him  ready.  He  knew  in  whom  he 
had  believed,  and  joyfully  did  he  commit  the  mighty  interests 
of  eternity  into  the  hands  of  his  divine  Redeemer.  He  died 
on  the  13th  of  July,  1837,  in  the  74th  year  of  his  age,  having 
been  about  fifty  years  in  the  ministry. 


WILLIAM     CREATH 


Elder  William  Creath  was  a  native  of  JNova  Scotia. 
He  was  born  December  23d,  1769.  His  father  emigrated  to 
Granville  county,  North  Carolina,  in  1786,  and  became  a 
permanent  resident  of  that  state.  Previous  to  this  removal, 
his  son  William  was  brought  under  the  influence  of  divine 
truth,  and  was  enabled  to  cherish  the  gospel  hope.  No  public 
profession  of  religion  was  made  until  1787,  when  he  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  Henry  Lester,  and  joined  a  church  in  North 
Carolina,  of  which  Elder  Thomas  Vass  was  pastor. 

The  same  year,  being  then  about  twenty  years  of  age,  he 
began  to  preach  Christ,  and  him  crucified,  as  the  way  to  God. 
Possessing  promising  talents,  he  was  invited  by  Elder  John 
Williams,  of  Lunenburg  county,  Virginia,  to  reside  with  him, 
for  the  purpose  of  improving  his  mind  by  a  course  of  general 


328  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

reading.  With  Mr.  Williams  he  remained  for  two  or  three 
years,  during  which  time  he  made  considerahle  progress  in 
knowledge.  In  his  instructor,  he  found  not  only  a  warm 
friend,  hut  a  pious  and  talented  man. 

In  1791,  the  subject  of  this  memoir  was  married  to  Miss 
Lucretia  Brame,  with  whom  he  lived,  for  more  than  thirty-one 
years,  in  the  county  of  Mecklinburg,  Va.  They  had  sixteen 
children,  some  of  which  died  in  infancy.  His  wife  proved  an 
efficient  helper  in  his  labors  as  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ. 

He  was,  according  to  Semple,  the  means  of  originating  the 
churches  called  Allen's  creek  and  Wilson's,  and  for  some 
time  supplied  Maloan's,  all  in  Mecklinburg  county.  These 
churches,  even  though  in  his  immediate  vicinity,  did  not,  to 
any  great  extent,  prosper;  arising  from  the  fact,  that  he  was 
comparatively  but  little  at  home.  He  was  in  the  habit  of 
making  lengthy  tours  through  different  parts  of  Maryland, 
Virginia,  and  North  Carolina.  For  many  years  he  was 
scarcely  employed  in  any  other  way  than  as  an  itinerating 
preacher.  It  could  have  been  wished  that  he  had  occupied  a 
more  circumscribed  sphere,  and  been  more  regular  in  his 
circuit,  as  in  this  way  he  might  have  shed  a  more  effective 
influence  on  the  cause  of  Christ. 

He  was  in  many  respects  qualified,  as  a  public  speaker,  to 
command  the  attention  of  his  auditors,  and  generally  called 
out,  wherever  he  preached,  large  congregations.  That  some 
idea  of  his  talents  and  manners  may  be  obtained,  the  following 
testimony,  from  the  pen  of  Elder  Semple,  will  be  introduced. 
Mr.  Semple,  being  well  acquainted  with  Elder  death,  was 
qualified  to  give  a  correct  judgment.  Referring  to  Wilson's 
church,  he  says:  "This  church  was  planted  by  the  labors  of 
Elder  William  Creath,  while  he  was  pastor  of  Allen's  creek. 
At  first,  they  were  small,  but  in  1802,  God  sent  them  a  time 
of  refreshing,  when  about  forty  were  baptized.  Since  then 
there  have  been  deaths,  removals,  and  expulsions,  sufficient  to 
counterbalance  their  additions;  so  that  their  number,  at  pre- 
sent,  is  only  fifty-four.     Although  they  have  not,  for  some 


WILLIAM     CREATII.  329 

years,  been  blessed  with  a  revival,  yet,  under  the  care  of  their 
active  and  laborious  pastor,  they  enjoy  peace,  love,  and  good 
order. 

"Elder  Creath  is  a  man  of  strong  mind  and  deep  research, 
in  matters  of  divinity;  and  were  his  manner  equal  to  his 
matter,  he  would  be  among  the  greatest  of  preachers.  He  is 
thought  by  some  to  be  too  fond  of  polemic  points;  so  as  to 
lessen  his  usefulness,  by  exciting  unnecessary  prejudices. 
One  thing  is  certain,  that  in  subjects  of  dispute,  there  is  a 
time  to  speak,  and  a  time  to  be  silent:  and  when  we  speak  un- 
reasonably, and  especially  if  it  should  be  intemperately,  we 
damage  the  very  cause  we  profess  to  espouse.  But  with  this 
(if  this  be  so)  Elder  Creath  is  a  very  useful  man.  He  seems 
willing  to  spend,  and  be  spent,  for  the  honor  of  his  Master." 

It  is  painful  to  be  compelled  to  state,  that,  in  the  latter  part 
of  Elder  Creath's  life,  he  was  charged  with  the  use  of  spirituous 
liquors,  even  to  intoxication.  The  hearts  of  his  brethren  were 
grieved,  while  the  cause  of  religion  sustained  an  injury  which, 
perhaps,  he  was  never  able  fully  to  repair.  The  charges 
alledged  against  him  were  acknowledged,  and  there  is  abundant 
reason  to  believe  that  he  was  truly  penitent.  Before  a  large 
congregation,  he  expressed  deep  sorrow  for  the  wound  which 
he  had  inflicted  on  the  interests  of  Christ's  kingdom,  and 
became  pledged,  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,  no  more  to  in- 
dulge in  this  habit. 

The  cleik  of  Meherrin  Association  refers  to  this  circumstance 
in  the  following  language:  "Let  this  stand  as  a  beacon  to  all 
unwary  mariners  on  the  boisterous  ocean  of  life,  that  they 
run  not  on  those  rocks  upon  which  many  have  dashed,  to  the 
reproach  of  that  good  name,  by  which  they  were  called.'' 

About  two  years  after  this  circumstance,  he  was  called  to 
give  an  account  of  his  stewardship.  He  left  home  on  the  4th 
of  July,  1823,  on  a  tour  of  preaching  in  the  lower  part  of 
North  Carolina.  From  this  journey  he  was  not  permitted  to 
return.  On  his  way  home,  he  was  arrested  by  an  inflamma- 
tory disease,  and  was  confined  to  the  house  of  Mr.  John  Blunt, 


330  BIOGKAniV    OF 

in  Edenton.  On  the  9th  of  August,  he  died,  in  the  fifty-sixth 
year  of  his  age. 

"It  is  said  by  those  who  had  heard  him  for  a  number  of 
years,  that  they  had  never  known  him  preach  with  such  power 
as  he  did  on  his  last  tour.  He  spoke  as  though  he  knew  it 
was  the  last  battle,  and  in  full  confidence  of  victory.  The 
last  time  he  preached,  he  seemed  to  be  in  full  view  of  heaven, 
and  observed,  as  he  rose,  that  he  could  scarcely  stand;  but,  as 
he  firmly  believed  it  was  the  last  time,  he  was  more  anxious 
to  gain  a  triumph  than  he  ever  had  been  before.  That  was  on 
Thursday,  and  on  the  Saturday  following,  he  fell  asleep  in  the 
arms  of  Jesus. 

"In  the  whole  of  his  illness,  he  manifested  a  noble  indiffer- 
ence to  himself,  with  the  most  tender  and  sympathetic  concern 
for  his  dear  family,  and  for  the  church  of  Christ;  and,  with 
great  fervor,  he  poured  out  his  affectionate  petitions  for  them. 
The  day  he  died,  he  tried  to  preach  to  all  that  came  to  see 
hirn  from  these  words — 'Thy  kingdom  come;'  and  w  hen  he 
could  not  preach,  he  prayed. 

"The  following  are  a  few  of  the  many  passages  of  scripture 
which  he  repeated:  'Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  thee,  and 
there  is  none  upon  the  earth  that  I  desire  besides  thee — I  have 
fought  a  good  fight — I  know  in  whom  I  have  believed — I 
know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth — O  death,  where  is  thy  sting! — 
Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly.'  His  fortitude  was  un- 
shaken, and  his  faith  strong.  Without  a  struggle,  he  reclined 
his  head  upon  his  Saviour's  breast,  and  breathed  his  life  out 
sweetly  there.  And  just  as  his  joyful  soul  was  about  to  take 
its  flight,  he  repeated  this  verse: 

'Farewell,  vain  world,  I  am  going  home; 
My  Saviour  smiles,  and  bids  me  come; 
Bright  angels  beckon  me  away, 
To  realms  of  everlasting  day.' 

"He  left  an  affectionate  spouse,  who  assisted  him  in  his 
ministerial  labors,  and  thirteen  children,  all  of  whom  have 
since  become  members  of  the  Baptist  church;  three  of  this 
number  are  ministers." 


NATHANIEL    CIIAMBLES.  331 


NATHANIEL     C H A M B L E  S  .  • 

Elder  Nathaniel  Ciiambles  was  the  son  of  William  and 
Elizabeth  Chambles,  both  respectable  members  of  the  Baptist 
church.  He  was  born  in  Sussex,  Feb.  4,  1762.  He  had  re- 
ligious  impressions  from  an  early  age;  but  it  was  not  until  his 
twenty-sixth  year,  that  he  was  enabled  to  cast  himself  as  a 
vile,  guilty,  and  helpless  sinner,  upon  the  mercy  of  God  in 
Christ  Jesus.  In  July,  1787,  he  was  baptized  and  cordially 
received  into  the  fellowship  of  the  High  hills  church.  In  1803 
he  commenced  preaching,  and  in  1806,  was,  by  the  unanimous 
wish  of  his  church,  solemnly  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry. For  many  years  he  was  the  faithful  and  affectionate 
pastor  of  the  High  hills  and  Sappony  churches. 

Nothing  remarkable  occurred  in  his  history,  as  a  minister, 
from  the  period  of  his  ordination,  until  1822.  At  this  time  he 
was  deeply  affected  by  the  coldness  and  darkness  which  per- 
vaded the  churches.  With  unusual  warmth,  he  exhorted  the 
members  of  his  churches,  to  be  diligent  in  searching  the  scrip- 
tures, faithful  in  self-examination,  and  fervent  in  prayer.  A 
day  of  fasting  and  humiliation  and  prayer,  was  appointed  by 
the  church  at  High  hills.  God  was  preparing  them  to  receive 
a  blessing.  About  this  time  several  laborers  were  providen- 
tially sent  into  this  part  of  the  vineyard.  A  blessed  revival  now 
commenced.  In  about  a  year,  sixty  or  seventy  persons  were 
converted,  baptized,  and  added  to  the  churches.  During  this 
season  of  "refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,"  the 
heart  of  our  aged  brother  was  filled  with  gratitude  and  delight; 
he  seemed  to  have  become  3'oung  again;  with  all  the  warmth 
and  tenderness  of  a  young  convert,  he  would  exhort,  and  pray, 
and  weep. 

In  1825,  his  constitution  evidently  began  to  fail  from  old 
age,  and  a  disease  of  the  lungs;  he  was,  however,  permitted  to 
continue  his  public  labors  until  within  a  k\v  weeks  of  his  death. 
•From  Minutes  of  Portsmouth  Association. 


332  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

His  last  sermon  was  preached  from  1  Pet.  v,  6,  7.  He  was 
blessed  with  uncommon  freedom  in  speaking  from  the  latter 
part  of  the  text.  God,  perhaps,  was  preparing  his  children  to 
"cast  their  care  on  him,"  in  the  heavy  affliction  they  were 
soon  to  undergo.  A  few  days  afterwards,  he  was  attacked 
with  a  bilious  fever,  which  terminated  in  a  palsy.  Every  effort 
was  made  by  his  kind  friends  to  prolong  his  life;  but  the  hour, 
appointed  for  his  release  from  sin  and  woe,  was  at  hand.  His 
mind  during  the  period  of  his  severe  and  protracted  illness,  was 
serene  and  heavenly.  To  a  brother  minister,  who  asked  him 
if  he  was  willing  to  die,  he  replied,  "I  have  nothing  to  fear.'' 
For  about  two  weeks  before  his  death,  he  was  rendered  speech- 
less by  a  paralytic  affection;  so  that  his  family  and  friends 
were  not  permitted  to  receive  the  dying  advice  which  he  would, 
otherwise  have  imparted.  A  niece,  perceiving  that  he  was 
in  his  right  mind,  said  to  him,  "Uncle  you  will  use  your 
tongue  yet.''  He  could  only  move  his  hand  significantly  to- 
wards heaven  and  smile.  His  countenance  indicated  the  tran- 
quillity of  his  soul.  On  the  4th  of  December,  1827,  he  fell 
asleep  in  Christ.  His  funeral  sermon  was  preached  from  Rev. 
xiv,  13.  His  body  was  followed  to  the  grave  by  a  numerous 
train  of  relatives,  friends,  and  brethren,  and  committed  to  the 
house  appointed  for  all  the  living  to  repose  till  the  resurrection 
morn. 

It  is  not  easy  to  delineate  the  character  of  a  good  man;  his 
excellencies,  like  the  colors  of  the  rainbow,  are  so  mingled, 
that  it  is  difficult  to  distinguish  them.  He  was  not  a  cold, 
heartless  professor  of  Christianity — a  Christian  only  in  name 
and  appearance.  He  believed  the  doctrine,  imbibed  the  spirit, 
followed  the  example,  and  heartily  espoused  the  cause  of 
Christ.  His  religion  was  sincere,  warm,  and  constant.  The 
whole  family  of  Christian  graces  dwelt  and  flourished  in  his 
heart.  We  can  exhibit  only  a  few  which  attained  the  greatest 
perfection  in  his  life. 

He  was  eminent  for  humility.  No  man  possessed  a  deeper 
sense  of  his  sinfulness  and  insufficiency,  than  he  did.     He  could 


NATHANIEL    CIIAMRLES.  333 

heartily  subscribe  to  the  saying  of  the  pious  Newton,  "1  am 
nothing,  I  have  nothing,  and  I  can  do  nothing.''  He  literally 
"esteemed  others  better  than  himself."  A  discerning  man 
could  not  long  be  in  his  presence,  without,  admiring  his  modes- 
ty and  gentleness — these  were  the  robes  in  which  he  wa9 
adorned. 

Our  venerable  brother  distinguished  himself  by  acts  of  be- 
neficence. His  heart  was  warmed  with  love  to  God  and  men, 
and  his  hand  opened  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  needy.  He  con- 
sidered himself  only  a  steward  of  God's  bounties.  He  was  one 
of  the  ready  and  liberal  supporters  of  the  benevolent  institutions 
of  the  day;  believing  them  calculated  to  promote  the  good  of 
men;  he  listened  not  to  the  objections  which  ignorance  and  ava- 
rice frequently  urge  against  them.  For  several  years  he  main- 
tained a  minister  in  his  own  house,  and  gave  him  twenty  dol- 
lars a  year,  besides  the  salary  raised  by  the  churches  for  his 
services.  He  fully  imbibed  the  spirit  of  that  saying  of  our 
Lord,  "It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive."  His  bene- 
volence was  free,  full,  and  constant. 

He  possessed  a  remarkable  control  over  his  tongue.  His 
intimate  acquaintances  well  know,  that  on  all  subjects  he  spoke 
with  the  utmost  caution.  Foolish  jesting,  trivial  conversation, 
and  censorious  expressions,  never  fell  from  his  lips.  "Swift  to 
hear,  slow  to  speak,''  was  never  more  descriptive  of  any  man 
than  himself.  With  his  friends  he  would  sometimes  converse 
freely,  and  his  conversation  was  both  interesting  and  instructive. 
Alas,how  few  employ  their  tongues,  as  if  they  expected  to  give 
account  to  God  for  every  word! 

As  an  economist,  he  has  rarely  been  equalled.  His  affairs 
were  conducted  in  the  most  perfect  order;  by  industry,  perse- 
verance, and  God's  blessing,  he  made  ample  provision  for  the 
support  and  comfort  of  his  family. 

\>  a  minister,  our  respected  brother  never  gained  great  ap- 
plause.    His  education  was  slender;  he  embarked  in  the  minis- 
try at  a  late  period  of  life,  and  was  always  surrounded  with  the 
cares  of  a  large    family:  it    is  not,  therefore,  to   be   expected, 
29 


334  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

that  he  became  eminent  in  his  profession.  He  closely  studied 
the  bible,  and  was  a  plain,  solid,  faithful,  and  affectionate 
preacher.  Though  not  a  great,  he  was  a  good  minister.  He 
was  always  solemn  and  dignified  in  the  pulpit.  One  trait  in 
his  character  as  a  minister,  ought  to  be  particularly  noticed. — 
He  was  not  envious.  The  more  popular  and  useful  his  breth- 
ren in  the  ministry  were  among  his  churches,  the  more  he  was 
delighted.  Indeed,  it  seemed  to  be  no  part  of  his  object  to  be 
admired  and  lauded  by  men.  Though  he  would  not  needlessly 
offend  men,  he  sought  only  to  please  God.  His  conduct  ought 
to  put  to  shame  those  preachers,  who  are  pained  at  the  pros- 
perity of  their  fellow-laborers  in  God's  vineyard. 


SAMUEL      SHREWSBURY,* 

Samuel  Shrewsbury  was  born  in  Hanover  county,  Vir- 
ginia, in  the  year  1736.  Sometime  in  the  year  1766  he 
removed  and  settled  in  the  county  of  Bedford,  Virginia;  where 
he  became  a  convert  to  the  Christian  faith  and  was  baptized 
about  the  year  1770,  by  a  travelling  Baptist  minister,  who 
tarried  for  a  short  time,  in  the  vicinity  of  his  residence.  In 
1772  he  commenced  proclaiming  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of 
God,  in  which  he  steadily  persisted  until  the  year  1734,  when 
he  fell  a  victim  to  the  intermittent  fever,  which  he  was  thought 
to  have  contracted  at  the  Big  lick,  in  Bottetourt  county, 
when  returning  from  a  tour  to  warn  his  fellow  creatures  to 
flee  the  wrath  to  come.  He  died  at  the  early  age  of  forty- 
eight  years,  and  appears  to  have  been  cut  off  in  the  midst  of 
his  usefulness,  and  thus  furnished  additional  evidence,  that  the 
ways  of  God  are  inscrutable  to  man.  After  a  lapse  of  more 
than  a  half  century,  it  is  difficult  tocollect  specific  information 
in  relation  to  Mr.  S.;  so  dilficult  indeed,  that  no  attempt  would 
now  be  made  to  rescue  his  memory  from  oblivion,  were  it  not 
for  the  fact,  that  he  lived  and  labored  in  portentous  times. 
♦By  Elder  William  C.  Ligon. 


NATHANIEL    SHREWSBURY.  335 

We  are  at  but  little  loss  to  determine  of  what  manner  of  spirit 
a  man  is,  when  he  espouses  an  unpopular  cause,  and  earnestly 
contends  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints,  against 
an  overwhelming  current  of  opposition,  created  by  the  lord- 
lings  of  the  country.  It  is  no  meagre  compliment  to  record 
the  name  of  an  individual  as  a  Baptist  minister,  zealously 
laboring  in  Virginia,  between  the  years  1772  and  1784.  We 
claim  for  such  an  one  more  than  presumptive  evidence,  that 
we  record  the  name  of  a  Christian  and  a  patriot.  Well  might 
a  highly  reputable  and  influential  citizen  of  Kanawha  county 
say,  in  a  letter  now  before  me,  "I  am  proud  that  I  am  a  de- 
scendant of  Samuel  and  nephew  of  Nathaniel  Shrewsbury." 

It  is  doubtful  whether  Mr.  S.  was  ever  ordained;  facilities 
for  ordination  were  rare  in  the  then  frontier  country  of  his 
residence;  but  be  that  as  it  may,  there  is  positive  evidence  that 
he  was  an  exemplary  and  successful  preacher  of  the  gospel. 
Elder  William  Leftwich  says,  in  relation  to  him:  "I  have  no 
acquaintance  with  him,  but  I  have  no  doubt,  from  what  I  have 
heard  from  others,  (now  fallen  asleep,)  that  he  was  a  worthy 
man  of  God  and  an  acceptable  preacher.''  Of  particular  exer- 
cises of  mind  about  the  time  of  his  dissolution,  I  have  no  in- 
formation, (my  principal  informant  being,  at  that  period,  a  child 
of  only  six  years  of  age  and  orphaned  by  his  death,)  but  if 
we  are  permitted  to  deduce  a  particular  conclusion  from  cur- 
rent facts,  we  feel  justified  in  saying,  the  end  of  Samuel 
Shrewsbury  was  peace. 


NATHANIEL    SHREWSBURY,* 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  the  county  of  Han- 
over, Virginia,  in  the  year  1739  and  removed,  in  company 
with  his  brother  Samuel,  to  Bedford  county  in  the  year  1766. 

The  two  brothers  appear  to  have  made  a  profession  of  re- 
*By  William  C.  Ligon. 


336  BIOGRAPHY     OF 

ligion  about  the  same  time,  were  baptized  by  the  same  man, 
and  commenced  the  ministry  together.  Indeed  the  history  of 
the  one  seems  to  be  that  of  the  other,  so  united  were  they  in 
their  lives  and  labors,  until  they  were  separated  by  the  death 
of  Samuel,  the  elder.  From  Semple's  "History  of  the  Bap- 
tists in  Virginia"  it  will  be  seen  that  Nathaniel  Shrewsbury 
constituted  Goose  creek,  Little  Otter,  and  Buffalo  churches, 
in  the  bounds  of  the  Strawberry  Association.  Of  the  first  and 
last  named  churches  he  was  the  early  pastor. 

The  brief  and  indefinite  history,  which  the  excellent  Sem- 
ple  has  written  of  Buffalo  church,  is  to  be  lamented,  because, 
when  joined  to  his  table  of  the  Strawberry  Association,  it  is 
calculated  to  mislead  the  reader  and  leave  the  impression,  that 
Elder  Nathaniel  Shrewsbury  was  the  individual  to  whom  he 
alluded  in  the  following  remarks:  "A  good  preacher  is  one  of 
the  best  gifts  of  heaven  to  a  pious  people;  but  if  he  unfortu- 
nately forgets  his  sacred  office  and  neglects  to  keep  his  body 
under,  and  thereby  becomes  a  castaway,  the  affliction  is  more 
than  commensurate  with  the  former  blessing.  Buffalo  found 
it  necessary  to  exclude  her  once  useful  minister.''  Who  that 
"useful  minister''  was,  I  have  no  means  of  determining,  but 
facts  are  conclusive  in  favor  of  the  idea,  that  it  was  not  Na- 
thaniel Shrewsbury.  In  the  year  179S  he  removed  to  the 
state  of  Kentucky  and  settled  in  Adair  county,  where  (in  the 
language  of  one  to  be  relied  on,  and  well  acquainted  with  the 
fact)  "he  continued  his  ministry  till  his  death  in  1825.''  My 
informant  also  adds,  that  Mr.  Shrewsbury  frequently  re- 
marked, "that  the  necessary  separation  from  his  several 
churches,  gave  him  more  pain,  than  he  had  powers  to  ex- 
press."    He  died  at  the  advanced  age  of  85  years. 

Elder  William  Leftwich,  of  Bedford  countyj  in  a  letter  now 
before  me,  says,  "I  was  acquainted  with  him;  have  heard  him 
preach  often.  When  I  first  became  acquainted  with  him,  he 
had  the  care  of  Goose  creek  church,  I  think  he  must  have 
been  the  pastor  of  that  church  as  far  back  as  1780.  He  was 
likewise  the  pastor  of  Little  Otter  church,  from  the  time  of 


NATHANIEL    SHREWSBURY.  337 

its  constitution,  which  took  place  in  or  about  the  year  1785. 
These  two  churches  he  served,  aided  generally  by  brother 
William  Johusou,*  (thiin  whom  a  much  worthier  man  never 
lived,)  until  the  year  1798,  when,  like  many  other  Baptist 
preachers,  he  removed  to  Kentucky.  While  connected  with 
these  churches,  he  sometimes  made  excursions  abroad.  Among 
others,  the  Cow  pasture  had  his  occasional  visits.  Asa  preach- 
er, he  was  popular;  with  many  he  was  very  much  so.  He 
was  truly  an  affectionate  and  exemplary  minister  of  the  gospel; 
his  labors  were  owned  and  blessed  of  the  Lord.  Under  his 
fostering  care,  his  churches  in  the  main  were  prosperous.  His 
talents  us  a  preacher,  there  is  no  doubt,  were  above  medioc- 
rity in  his  day  and  sphere  of  labors.'' 

Elder  Leftwich's  opinion,  of  the  talents  and  usefulness  of 
Mr.  S.  is  amply  corroborated  by  the  testimony  of  others;  and 
no  doubt  can  be  entertained  that  he  was  a  highly  gifted  and 
useful  preacher.  He  too  lived  and  labored  in  the  days  that 
tried  men's  souls;  when  Baptist  minister  was  a  term  of  re- 
proach in  Virginia,  and  when  such  an  one  wrought  in  the 
Lord's  vineyard  with  full  knowledge  of  the  fact,  that  he  was 
thereby  exposing  himself  to  bonds,  stripes,  and  imprisonments. 
God  was  pleased  to  protract  his  days,  to  see  the  ball  of  the 
revolution  wound  up — to  taste  the  sweets  from  the  cup  of  re- 
ligious liberty;  sit  under  his  own  vine  and  fig  tree,  and  worship 
agreeably  to  the  convictions  of  his  own  mind,  nor  fear,  nor 
hear  the  voice  of  the  oppressor. 

*  1  have  endeavored,  but  in  vain,  to  collect  sufficient  information  to 
compile  a  biographical  sketch  of  Mr.  Johnson.  Where  or  when  he  was 
born,  or  the  time  and  circumstances  of  his  demise,  does  not  appear  to  be 
known  by  any  to  whom  I  have  applied  for  information.  That  such  a 
man  settled  in  the  county  of  Bedford,  in  the  character  of  a  Baptist 
preacher,  about  the  year  1778,  and  that  he  was  the  immediate  contem- 
porary, and  active  and  successful  fellow  helper  of  Elder  Nathaniel 
Shrewsbury,  appears  to  be  incontestibly  true. 

Whilst  we  have  cause  to  lament  the  loss  of  his  record  on  earth,  no  lit- 
tle consolation  arises  from  the  confident   belief,  that  Heaven  has  been 
less  remiss. — That  record  is  doubtless  on  high. 
29# 


338  BIOGRAPHY    OF 


JEREMIAH    HATCHER, 


As  respects  the  early  part  of  the  life  of  Elder  Jeremiah 
Hatcher,  we  have  no  information  whatever,  although  some 
pains  have  been  taken  among  his  surviving  friends  and  rela- 
tives to  obtain  it;  all  those  from  whom  such  facts  might  have 
been  derived,  are  now  no  more!  Yet  there  are  a  few  well  as- 
certained circumstances,  worthy  the  attention  of  the  biogra- 
pher, which,  as  a  testimonial  of  esteem  for  his  memory,  should 
be  handed  down  to  posterity. 

Elder  Hatcher  was  a  native  of  Chesterfield  county;  and  it  is 
said  his  ancestry  were  highly  respectable.  His  ministerial 
career  commenced  at  least  as  far  back  as  1778.  He  is  stated 
to  have  been  the  first  pastor  of  the  church  called  Toma- 
hawk, in  the  county  of  Chesterfield,  which  was  constituted  in 
1777.  This  church  he  served  about  two  years,  and  then  re- 
moved to  Bedford  county,  where  he  labored  with  much  accept- 
ance and  usefulness,  and,  in  a  very  short  time,  became  the  pas- 
tor of  the  church  called  Northfork  of  Otter.  Whether  this 
church  was  constituted  before,  or  subsequently  to  his  removal 
to  Bedford,  is  somewhat  uncertain;  but  we  incline  to  think  it 
was  about  this  time.  This  church  was  built  up  principally 
under  his  ministry,  and  enjoyed  his  indefatigable  labors  with- 
out fee  or  reward,  until  the  time  of  his  death. 

His  labors  were  not  confined  exclusively  to  this  church;  he 
made  frequent  excursions  in  the  surrounding  country,  and  ex- 
erted an  influence  in  the  cause  of  his  divine  Master,  that  will 
tell  when  time  shall  cease  to  be  measured  by  days,  months, 
and  years.  Elder  Hatcher  was  one  of  the  most  uniform  and 
exemplary  men;  his  general  deportment  was  a  comment  on  his 
profession — humble,  grave,  solemn,  and  unassuming — thereby 
commending  himself  to  every  man's  conscience  in  the  sight  of 
God.  He  was  greatly  beloved  by  the  people  of  his  charge; 
and  by  all  that  knew  him,  whether  saint  or  sinner,  he  was  re- 
cognised as  a  devout  man  of  God.     He  was  an  uncompromis- 


JOHN    POINDEXTER.  339 

ing  Calvinist.  In  sentiment,  as  a  preacher,  he  was  plain, 
pointed,  and  consistent.  His  talents,  though  not  highly  culti- 
vated, were  of  the  useful  sort,  and  were  not  employed  in  vain, 
for  the  work  of  the  Lord  prospered  in  his  hands. 

Sometime  in  the  year  1804,  he  bid  adieu  to  the  toils  and  la- 
bors of  a  life,  not  spent  for  nought,  and  entered,  it  is  believed, 
into  that  rest  that  remains  for  the  people  of  God. 


JOHN     POINDEXTER 


The  ancestry  of  John  Poindexter,  was  highly  respectable. 
His  grandfather  was  a  French  Protestant,  whose  adherence  to 
religious  principles  compelled  him  to  leave  his  native  land  and 
seek  shelter  from  papal  oppression  in  the  island  of  Great 
Britain.  At  this  time,  he  was  the  head  of  a  large  family. 
Shortly  after  his  arrival  in  England,  one  of  his  sons,  Thomas 
Poindexter,  became  attached  to  a  young  lady,  whom  he  ad- 
dressed, and  who  reciprocated  his  affection.  As  there  was 
considerable  disparity  in  their  circumstances,  the  father  of 
Thomas  was  much  displeased,  and  expressly  forbade  the  con- 
nexion. More  effectually  to  prevent  it,  he  gave  his  son  a 
handsome  estate  and  sent  him  to  Virginia.  This  being  made 
known  to  the  young  lady,  she  determined  to  follow  in  search 
of  her  intended  husband,  and  for  this  purpose  indented  herself 
as  a  servant  for  four  years.  She  succeeded  in  reaching  the 
shores  of  Virginia.  The  young  Frenchman  having  heard  that 
a  vessel  with  servants  had  arrived,  and  desiring  to  obtain  one, 
made  application,  when  on  examining,  he  discovered  his  once 
intended  spouse.  The  meeting  was  joyful.  They  rushed  to 
each  other's  embraces.  He  paid  the  stipulated  price  and  she 
became  his  wife.  From  these  sprang  all  the  Poindexters 
known  in  America.  One  of  their  sons  was  the  subject  of  this 
memoir.  When  quite  young,  he  indicated  considerable  spright- 
liness  of  mind,  and  the  best  advantages  for  education,  which 
the  country  at  that  time  afforded,  were  enjoyed  by  him. 


340  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

It  was  not  until  he  became  a  married  man,  that  he  mani- 
fested interest  in  the  subject  of  religion;  on  the  contrary,  he 
was  understood  to  be  an  opposer.  At  that  period,  when  the 
gospel  was  first  proclaimed  by  the  Baptists  in  the  county  of 
Louisa,  where  he  resided,  he  employed  all  his  influence  to  re- 
sist the  truth.  But  the  Lord  was  mightier  than  he,  and  the 
truth  became  effectual  in  his  own  family.  His  wife  was  turned 
to  the  Lord,  and  rejoiced  in  him  as  her  Saviour.  This  cir- 
cumstance created  in  the  bosom  of  Mr.  P.  mingled  emotions 
of  surprise  and  rage.  His  opposition  was  exhibited  in  a  more 
marked  and  decided  manner.  When  his  companion  desired  to 
be  immersed,  and  to  unite  herself  with  the  Baptists,  he  entered 
his  express  prohibition  against  it.  In  secret  places  she  often 
wept,  and  sought  God  on  behalf  of  his  cause,  and  her  unbe- 
lieving husband;  nor  were  her  entreaties  vain.  The  Lord 
heard  her  prayer,  and  brought  her  companion  to  feel  his  own 
guilt  and  ruin,  and  to  sue  for  mercy.  The  circumstances  of 
his  conversion,  are  thus  modestly  referred  to  by  himself: 

"Two  women,  Mrs.  H.  and  Mrs.  P.,  who  lived  near  each 
other,  about  the  year  1788,  professed  conversion,  but  were  not 
baptized,  because  of  opposition.  The  husband  of  Mrs.  P.  was 
most  pointedly  against  her  being  baptized,  and  equally  so 
against  her  attending  Baptist  meetings.  These  women  often 
met  in  secret,  to  converse  about  religion,  and  to  enjoy  each 
other's  company,  as  travellers  to  Zion.  In  the  course  of  their 
conversations,  they  expressed  their  desire  to  introduce  the 
Baptist  ministry  into  the  neighborhood,  and  concluded  that  an 
application  should  be  made  by  them  to  the  husband  of  Mrs. 
Poindexter.  This  attempt,  the  most  unlikely  to  succeed  to 
human  view,  was  made,  and  treated  at  first,  very  indifferently, 
but  ultimately,  it  was  observed  by  him,  that  he  had  no  objec- 
tion to  the  Baptist  preaching  on  his  land — perhaps  it  might 
benefit  some  of  his  neighbors,  or  their  children — that,  if  he 
did  not  go  to  heaven  himself,  he  was  willing  they  should:  but 
he  must  choose  the  preacher.  He  stated  his  objections  strongly 
against  noisy  preachers,  and  observed,  that  some  years  before, 


JOHN    FOINDEXTER.  341 

he  had  heard  a  clever  old  gentle  man  preach  by  the  name  of 
Goodloe,  if  he  could  be  had,  he  might  preach  on  his  land,  and 
that  preparations  should  be  made  for  the  accommodation  of  a 
congregation.  The  two  ladies  were  well  pleased.  Elder 
Goodloe  was  notified,  a  day  appointed  for  the  first  meeting,  an 
arbor  built,  and  seats  prepared  for  the  congregation. 

"Though  Mr.  Poiridexter  had  been  much  opposed  to  religion, 
and  would  not  attend  on  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  he  was 
apprehended  by  the  spirit  of  God,  and  under  serious  convic- 
tion before  the  meeting  came  on.  Elder  Goodloe  attended,  and 
to  a  large  congregation  preached  with  considerable  liberty, 
from  the  words,  'Ye  must  be  born  again.'  His  audience  ap- 
peared serious,  and  the  sermon  had  good  effect.  Particularly 
the  poor  criminal,  John  Poindexter,  was  much  effected.  The 
next  meeting  was  appointed  August  29th.  Previously  to  this, 
the  prisoner  was  brought  forth,  the  sentence  pronounced  against 
him,  which  he  acknowledged  was  just,  and  saw  no  way  by 
which  he  could  be  pardoned;  although  he  beheld  a  fullness  in 
Christ,  for  sinners,  he  could  not  realize  a  hope  that  it  would 
be  extended  to  a  sinner  so  vile  as  himself.  But  God,  who  is  a 
God  of  grace,  showed  unto  him  how  he  could  save  him.  He 
manifested  the  richness  of  his  grace  by  opening  the  prison 
doors,  and  proclaiming  his  pardon.  By  this  man,  the  Baptists 
had  been  despised — all  other  professions  of  religion  were  pre- 
ferred to  that  of  the  Baptists;  but,  after  having  experienced  the 
pardoning  love  of  God,  he  esteemed  them  above  all  people. 
He  had  uniformly  opposed  baptism,  upon  profession  of  faith,  by 
immersion;  but  now  he  was  thoroughly  convinced  of  its  pro- 
priety. His  wife,  who  had  been  for  nearly  two  years  desirous 
of  being  a  Baptist,  and  whom  he  had  heretofore  prevented,  was, 
August  29th,  1790,  led  into  the  water,  by  her  husband,  to- 
gether with  Mrs.  Henly,  and  they  were  all  baptized  by  Elder 
Henry  Goodloe.  The  news  had  spread  far  and  wide,  that  the 
baptism  above  alluded  to,  would  take  place  on  that  day,  and 
people  attended  the  meeting  from  every  adjacent  county,  and 
very  generally  from  the  county  of  Louisa.     There   was  an 


342  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

anxiety  in  the  minds  of  the  people  to  know  the  truth  of  this 
affair;  numbers  doubted,  and  others  attended  to  gratify  their 
curiosity.  Many  were  the  conjectures  of  the  people,  about 
the  baptism  of  that  hardy  rebel,  John  Poindexter.  Some  sup- 
posed he  joined  the  Baptists  from  pecuniary  motives;  some, 
that  it  was  to  gratify  his  lusts;  and  others  supposed,  in  six 
months  he  would  be  as  he  was  before.  But  grace  knows  how 
to  support  its  own.  Thanks  to  our  redeeming  Lord,  they  were 
false  prophets.  From  the  time  of  this  baptism,  not  only  Elder 
Goodloe,  but  Elders  Waller  and  Webber  attended  the  meet- 
ings: and  at  times,  foreign  ministers.  The  word  of  the  Lord 
grew  and  multiplied.  On  the  approach  of  winter,  meetings 
were  held  in  the  house  of  John  Poindexter.  The  congrega- 
tions were  large;  and  such  numbers  of  people  dined  at  his 
table,  that  the  devil  changed  his  voice  and  began  to  pity  him 
and  his  family.  Now,  instead  of  charging  him  with  pecuniary 
motives,  he  declared  that  the  Baptists  would  eat  him  out  of 
house  and  home.  But  the  devil  was  a  liar  then,  as  he  is  now; 
for  God  prospered  him.  A  certain  lawyer  passed  through  his 
plantation,  and  looking  on  the  crops,  declared  that  he  would 
be  a  Baptist  too:  for  he  never  saw  such  crops  of  corn,  as  Poin- 
dexter made  since  he  became  a  Baptist." 

About  a  year  after  his  baptism,  he  began  to  speak  in  public, 
testifying  both  to  small  and  great,  repentance  towards  God  and 
faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  In  February,  1792,  he  was 
publicly  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  A  church,  called 
Roundabout,  (after  a  creek  of  that  name,)  having  been  consti- 
tuted near  his  house  when  he  was  converted  to  God,  he  wa3 
unanimously  invited  to  take  the  oversight  of  them.  This  re- 
lation he  sustained  for  many  years;  and  it  was  well  sustained. 
As  a  preacher  of  the  glad  tidings,  he  was  eminently  success- 
ful, especially  in  the  early  part  of  his  ministry.  Within  twelve 
months  after  his  ordination,  he  baptized  upwards  of  one  hun- 
dred joyful  believers,  and  tbe  church  continued  to  increase  un- 
til more  than  three  hundred  were  added.  His  labors  were  ex- 
tended into  the  neighboring  counties,  and   with  great  power 


ELISHA    l'LRRINGTON.  343 

did  he  exhibit  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  He  was  instrumen- 
tal  in  forming  a  church  in  Albemarle,  called  Bethel,  which 
soon  numbered  more  than  one  hundred  members. 

Elder  Poindexter  was  a  man  of  no  ordinary  talents.  His 
discourses  were  highly  doctrinal,  and  usually  displayed  much 
thought  and  discrimination.  He  seldom  preached  without 
preparation:  giving  evidence  that  in  no  common  degree,  he 
was  a  scribe,  well  instructed  in  the  things  of  the  kingdom. 

The  influence  of  Elder  Poindexter  was  extensive  and  merit- 
ed. For  many  years  he  was  the  clerk  of  Louisa  county;  and, 
as  a  member  of  the  community,  was  highly  useful.  He  always 
exhibited  a  prompt  and  Christian-like  benevolence,  in  the  use 
of  those  means  which  were  entrusted  to  his  care  by  a  kind 
Providence.  He  seemed  to  feel  the  sentiment,  that  it  was 
more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive.  His  pecuniary  sacri- 
fices in  promoting  the  cause  of  God,  at  different  times,  were 
numerous. 

Notwithstanding  he  filled  the  clerkship  of  the  county  up  to 
the  time  of  his  death,  and  in  this  capacity  was  prompt  and 
vigilant,  he  did  not  neglect  his  Master's  service.  To  the  close 
of  life,  he  was  in  season  and  out  of  season,  endeavoring  to  do 
good  to  all  men.  The  Goshen  Association,  of  which  he  was  a 
member,  enjoyed  the  advantage  of  his  counsel  and  influence. 
For  a  series  of  years,  he  was  elected  to  preside  over  their  de- 
liberations. Although  inquiries  have  been  made,  no  definite 
information  has  been  received  concerning  the  precise  time  and 
circumstances  of  his  departure  from  this  world.  His  death 
took  place  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1319. 


ELISHA    PURRINGTON. 


Many  of  those  who  have  labored  in  Virginia  as  the  heralds 
of  the  cross,  were  natives  of  other  states.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch,  it  is  believed,  was  born  in  New  England,  and  came 


344  BIOGEAPnY    OF 

to  this  state  about  1772.  In  removing  hither,  his  principal 
object  was  to  teach  the  science  of  sacred  music.  He  succeeded 
in  obtaining  patronage  in  Louisa,  Goochland,  and  Fluvanna 
counties,  and  having  formed  a  matrimonial  engagement  with  a 
Miss  Todd,  finally  settled  in  the  first  named  county.  Although 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church,  when  he  removed  to 
Virginia,  he  was  far  from  being  zealous  in  spiritual  things. 
But  a  happy  change  took  place  in  his  religious  feelings,  which 
resulted  in  the  conviction  that  God  required  him  to  work  in 
his  vineyard.  He  began  to  exhort,  and  ultimately,  to  preach. 
At  first,  his  efforts  were  very  unpromising;  many  believed  that 
he  would  never  overcome  the  obstacles  which  impeded  his  pro- 
gress, and  he  was  often,  on  this  account,  the  subject  of  despond- 
ency. But,  with  the  most  indefatigable  industry,  he  applied 
himself  to  study,  and  by  degrees,  acquired  an  extensive  fund  of 
knowledge.  He  became  one  of  the  most  intelligent  preachers 
of  his  day.  His  acquaintance  with  the  scriptures  was  deep 
and  thorough. 

As  he  advanced  in  life,  his  influence  increased,  not  only 
among  the  private  members  of  the  church,  but  his  brethren  in 
the  ministry.  At  associations,  and  other  meetings,  he  was  fre- 
quently consulted  by  the  most  intelligent,  in  reference  to  diffi- 
cult passages  in  the  word  of  God,  while  his  opinions  were  re- 
ceived with  the  most  respectful  attention.  As, a  theologian  he 
deserved  respect.  His  views  were  generally  judicious,  being 
the  result  of  patient  and  laborious  investigation.  In  the  pulpit 
he  was  inclined  to  be  doctrinal,  but  he  did  not,  therefore,  ne- 
glect practical  religion.  His  style  was  clear  and  forcible,  while 
his  manner,  though  not  impressive,  was  interesting;  he  failed 
not  to  commend  himself  to  every  man's  conscience  in  the  sight 
of  God.  Mr.  Semple  refers  to  him  as  having  possessed  "valu- 
able gifts,  which  were  exercised  in  a  useful  way." 

Such  was  the  favor  with  which  his  ministry  was  received, 
that  the  old  and  intelligent  church  in  Goochland,  called  Wil- 
liams, gave  him  a  unanimous  call  to  become  their  pastor.  They 
had  previously  enjoyed  the  labors  of  some  of  the  most  eminent 


ELISIIA    PURRINGTON.  345 

men  of  that  day;  and  it  was  a  flattering  indication  of  no  com- 
mon kind,  to  request  him  to  engage  in  this  labor.  Their  invi- 
tation was  accepted.  He  entered  upon  his  work  with  the  most 
praiseworthy  zeal.  As  a  pastor,  he  was  much  beloved.  The 
influence  he  gained  over  the  hearts  of  his  flock,  was  not  alto- 
gether the  result  of  intelligence  in  tbe  pulpit,  but  of  frequent 
and  affectionate  intercourse.  There  was  a  softness  and  ease 
in  his  manners  which  were  the  spontaneous  product  of  a  be- 
nevolent heart.  If  a  spiritual  guide  would  obtain  the  confi- 
dence of  those  placed  under  his  care,  he  must  give  frequent 
and  indubitable  proofs  of  his  affection.  It  must  be  seen  that  he 
seeks,  not  his  own,  but  their  interest,  and  thus,  like  the  apostle, 
very  gladly  spend  and  be  spent  for  them;  though,  the  more  he 
loves,  the  less  he  might  be  loved.  He  must  be  gentle  among 
them,  even  as  a  nurse  cherisheth  her  children.  Mr.  Purrington 
was  such  a  man.  He  loved  the  people  of  his  charge,  and  ex- 
hibited that  attachment  in  his  whole  deportment.  This  consti- 
tuted one  of  the  elements  of  his  great  influence  among  the 
churches.  Another  reason  to  be  assigned  for  the  esteem  in 
which  he  was  held,  was  the  uniformity  of  his  Christian  charac- 
ter. His  piety  was  fervent  and  habitual;  eternal  realities  en- 
gaged bis  supreme  attention.  He  acted  in  accordance  with 
the  great  object  of  his  creation,  and  sought  to  glorify  God  in 
his  body  and  spirit  which  were  his. 

Such  a  man  could  not  but  be  loved.  It  need  not  be  a  sub- 
ject of  surprise  that  he  was  useful.  Many  accessions  to  the 
churches  were  made  during  his  pastorate,  but  especially  in  the 
edification  of  the  pious,  was  his  usefulness  manifest.  Mr.  P. 
excelled  in  his  knowledge  of  the  science  of  music;  it  has  been 
already  stated  that  he  originally  came  to  Virginia  as  an  in- 
structor in  the  art  of  singing.  He  continued  to  employ  his 
talent  in  this  way  for  many  years.  It  ought  perhaps,  to  be 
stated,  that  he  was  not  thought  to  be  a  good  financier,  having 
been  frequently  embarrassed  in  his  worldly  concerns. 

The  death  of  this  good  man  occurred  about  the  year  1820. 
As  the  circumstances  of  his  last  hours  are  not  known  to  the 
biographer,  this  memoir  must  necessarily  be  brought  to  a  close 
30 


346  BIOGRAPHY    OF 


SAMUEL    W  0  0  D  F  I  N. 


Elder  Woodfin  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  born  Sep- 
tember 21st,  1722.  He  was  among  those  whose  lot  it  was  to 
stem  the  tide  of  prejudice  and  opposition  which  resisted  the 
Baptists  in  their  early  history  in  Virginia.  He  was  a  zealous 
laborer  in  his  Master's  vineyard,  and  not  until  within  a  short 
time  previous  to  his  death,  when  age  and  infirmity  compelled 
him,  did  he  abandon  the  work.  He  was  a  man  of  industrious 
habits,  diligent  in  business,  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord. 
Not  only  in  the  gospel  of  his  Son  did  he  endeavor  to  please 
God,  but  by  rigid  faithfulness  in  fulfilling  his  worldly  engage- 
ments; evincing  to  all  around,  a  tenacious  adherence  to  the 
principles  of  justice  and  integrity.  In  his  declining  years,  he 
took  great  pleasure  in  retrospecting  scenes  of  former  days, 
and  recounting  the  labors  of  his  yet  unwearied  feet,  when  he 
first  entered  the  ministry.  He  would  refer  to  those  times, 
when,  after  working  with  his  own  hands  at  the  anvil  during 
the  week,  at  the  close,  his  journey  was  commenced,  often  on 
foot,  to  meet  a  congregation  ten  or  fifteen  miles  distant  from 
his  home;  while  his  customers  would  find  him  at  his  shop 
early  on  Monday  morning.  As  long  as  he  continued  to  preach, 
he  was  remarkably  punctual  in  attending  his  appointments,  al- 
lowing no  weather,  however  inclement,  nor  any  trivial  circum- 
stance to  prevent  his  presence  where  it  was  expected. 

As  a  preacher  Elder  Woodfin  was  plain,  experimental,  and 
practical.  Like  most  of  his  contemporaries  he  indicated  the 
want  of  early  literary  advantages.  His  system  of  divinity 
was  in  accordance  with  the  generally  received  views  of  the 
Baptist  denomination.  As  a  pastor,  he  was  affectionate,  and 
attentive,  and  by  the  people  of  his  charge  was  much  beloved. 
He  accepted  the  pastoral  vocation  in  Muddy  creek  church, 
Powhatan,  in  1784,  and  retained  this  connexion  up  to  the  pe- 
riod of  his  death.     He  died  in  peace,  Jan.  13th,  1832. 

If  father   Woodfin  had  foibles;    they  were  perhaps  more 


JOSEPH    PEDIGO.  347 

conspicuous  to  himself  than  others,  yet  he  had  enemies  dis- 
posed to  magnify  them.  We  would  however  entomb  them 
with  his  mortal  remains,  in  the  silent  grave,  whence,  we  confi- 
dently hope,  he  will  in  the  morning  of  the  resurrection  arise, 
clothed  in  the  righteousness  of  Jesus,  and  appear  in  the  pre- 
sence of  God  without  spot  or  wrinkle,  to  dwell  with  him  forever. 


JOSEPH    PEDIGO 


Elder  Joseph  Pedigo  closed  his  earthly  labors  some  time 
in  the  year  1837,  being  more  than  threescore  years  of  age, 
and  having  been  long  employed  in  the  ministry  of  the  gospel. 
He  was  a  resident  of  Henry  county,  and  was  for  many  years 
an  active  member  of  the  Strawberry  Association,  generally 
occupying  the  chair  at  their  annual  meetings.  When  the  Pig 
river  Association  was  formed  in  1824,  or  '5,  the  church  of 
which  he  was  a  member  became  connected  with  that  body.  In 
the  new  association,  he  exercised  considerable  influence,  and  to 
the  time  of  his  death  was  their  Moderator. 

At  different  times  during  his  ministerial  career,  he  served 
several  churches,  and  was  instrumental  in  promoting  their  in- 
crease and  edification.  As  a  preacher  he  was  highly  regarded 
by  his  brethren,  being  distinguished  by  a  plain,  affectionate 
manner  in  his  addresses  from  the  pulpit.  His  information  was 
very  limited,  having  enjoyed  little  or  no  opportunity  in  youth 
for  the  improvement  of  his  mind.  During  most  of  his  minis- 
terial life,  he  was  able  to  employ  but  little  time  in  reading, 
being  quite  poor,  and  compelled  to  labor  for  the  support  of  his 
family.  His  preaching  was  not  strictly  of  the  expository 
character,  while  at  the  same  time,  to  the  utmost  of  his  ability, 
he  delighted  to  recommend  the  offices  and  work  of  the  Saviour 
of  sinners.  His  character  was  highly  exemplary,  and  by  all 
classes  he  was  much  esteemed. 

Elder  Pedigo  was  opposed  to  all   the  efforts  which   are  now 


348  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

employed  to  send  the  gospel  among  the  heathen,  as  well  as 
Sunday  schools,  tract  operations,  &c.  &c.  But  the  writer  of 
this  sketch  is  confident  that  this  prejudice  was  the  result  of 
circumstances.  If  he  had  lived  in  other  sections  of  the  state, 
where  he  might  have  mingled  with  brethren  engaged  in  these 
exertions,  and  where  he  would  not  have  received  inaccurate 
statements  concerning  their  designs  and  consequences,  his 
opinions  would  have  been  of  a  different  stamp.  During  the 
year  1836,  the  writer  had  an  opportunity  of  spending  a  night 
under  his  humble,  but  hospitable  roof.  In  riding  to  his  door, 
the  inquiry,  with  some  coolness,  was  made,  whether  or  not  he 
was  addressing  a  "Missionary  Baptist.''  The  answer  was, 
that  it  afforded  peculiar  delight  to  see  the  gospel  published  to 
sinners  every  where,  and  that  no  appropriate  means  ought  to 
be  neglected  to  send  it  to  every  creature.  An  invitation  was 
extended  to  tarry  for  the  night.  After  some  general  remarks, 
a  most  interesting  conversation  occurred  on  doctrinal  and  ex- 
perimental religion,  while  the  aged  brother  seemed  astonished 
that  a  "Missionary  Baptist"  should  be  so  far  from  the  indul- 
gence of  Arminian  sentiments.  After  some  time  the  conver- 
sation was  directed  to  the  benevolent  movements  of  the  day, 
and  it  was  quite  as  astonishing  to  the  writer  that  so  little  cor- 
rect information,  respecting  these  things,  had  been  obtained  by 
him  whom  he  addressed.  He  had  entirely  misapprehended 
their  whole  character  and  tendency.  In  the  morning,  on  sep- 
arating, with  the  kindest  and  most  affectionate  manner,  Elder 
Pedigo  extended  an  invitation  to  visit  him  again.  It  was  a 
delightful  interview,  and  on  leaving  the  spot,  the  impression 
was  forcibly  made  upon  the  mind,  that  acquaintance  and  free 
interchange  of  sentiment,  with  mutual  forbearance,  would  do 
more  towards  the  production  of  unity  of  sentiment  and  action 
among  brethren,  than  all  the  acrimonious  debates,  or  even  well 
written  and  dispassionate  essays  could  accomplish. 


JOHN   JENKINS.  349 


SAMUEL    HILTON 


Elder  Hilton  lived  and  died  in  Scott  county,  Virginia. 
He  possessed  a  vigorous  intellect,  and  although  the  stores  of 
learning  were  not  placed  within  his  reach,  this  deficiency  was 
in  some  measure  supplied  by  the  habit  of  close  thinking,  and 
the  thorough  investigation  of  those  subjects  upon  which  he 
brought  his  mind  to  bear.  In  the  early  history  of  Virginia 
Baptists  he  entered  the  ministry  of  reconciliation,  having  him- 
self felt  the  power  of  the  gospel  in  his  own  salvation.  He 
continued  until  within  a  few  years  back  a  faithful,  laborious 
laborer  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  He  was  highly  respected 
and  esteemed  by  all  classes,  and  was  eminently  useful  in  the 
work  of  preaching  the  gospel. 


JOHN    JENKINS. 

Elder  John  Jenkins  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
ministers  of  the  Roanoke  Association.  He  was  born  Dec. 
25th,  1758,  in  the  county  of  Loudon,  of  indigent  and  irre- 
ligious parents.  From  statements  furnished  by  himself,  it  is  as- 
certained  that  little  or  no  attention  was  paid  to  his  morals  in 
early  life,  being  allowed  to  indulge  himself  in  a  course  of 
folly  from  childhood  until  he  was  grown.  He  is  reported  to 
have  said,  that  the  most  laborious  days  he  ever  spent  were 
Sundays,  occupied  in  a  species  of  gambling.  During  the  re- 
volutionary war,  having  removed  with  his  parents  to  Pittsylva- 
nia, he  was  employed  as  commissary  by  the  United  States, 
and  in  this  capacity  passed  through  some  of  the  upper  coun- 
ties of  the  state.  Shortly  after  he  left  this  occupation,  he  re- 
turned to  his  native  county  and  engaged  himself  in  conducting 
a  common  school.  There,  through  the  instrumentality  of  Je- 
remiah Moore,  he  became  a  follower  of  Christ.  He  was  bap- 
30* 


350  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

tized  by  Elder  Moore  in  1792.  Though  his  whole  life  had 
been  peculiar  for  neglect  of  eternal  things,  and  indeed,  for  its 
viciousness,  it  was  the  divine  pleasure  to  pluck  him  as  a  brand 
from  the  burning.  The  grace  of  God  can  triumph  over  de- 
pravity of  heart  and  licentiousness  of  life;  that  where  sin 
abounds,  grace  may  much  more  abound. 

On  his  removal  to  Pittsylvania,  he  became  a  member  of 
Allen's  creek  church.  Here  he  commenced  the  ministry. 
His  ordination  took  place  in  the  year  1796.  It  was  then 
thought,  by  his  brethren,  that  he  possessed  but  little  talent  for 
the  work  of  the  ministry.  But  in  this  they  were  mistaken. 
The  beauty  of  the  marble  may  be  concealed,  as  it  is  taken 
rude  and  unpolished  from  the  quarry,  so  intellectual  power  may 
remain  undiscovered  until,  by  peculiar  circumstances,  it  is 
called  into  exercise.  Thus  an  impulse,  produced  by  a  solemn 
sense  of  the  importance  of  his  new  vocation,  was  given  to 
his  habits  of  study  and  reflection,  and  a  perceptible  change 
was  wrought  in  his  whole  intellectual  character.  Having  en- 
gaged in  the  solemn  work  of  teaching  others  the  truths  of  the 
bible,  he  began  to  apply  himself  diligently  to  study.  He  ob- 
tained a  very  considerable  acquaintance  with  the  Latin,  Greek, 
and  Hebrew  languages.  His  knowledge  of  history  became 
enlarged  and  accurate.  Few  were  more  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  the  geography  of  the  earth.  It  is  said,  that  being  unable 
to  purchase  globes,  he  actually  prepared  a  pair  for  his  own 
use,  which  were  well  executed.  Nor  did  he  satisfy  himself 
with  a  knowledge  of  the  languages,  or  of  men  and  things 
generally.  He  was  a  close  student  of  the  word  of  God.  At 
all  times  he  seemed  unwilling  to  appear  as  the  spiritual  in- 
structor of  others,  without  aiming  to  become  thoroughly  ac- 
quainted with  the  truth.  His  attainments  in  learning  would 
have  been  creditable  under  the  most  favorable  circumstances; 
but,  when  it  is  known  that  throughout  life  he  was  compelled 
to  struggle  with  poverty,  his  proficiency  may  well  excite  aston- 
ishment. His  example,  in  this  respect,  deserves  universal 
imitation.     No  man   should  begin  to  preach  the  gospel  who. 


JOHN    JEJfKINS.  351 

is  not  willing  to  become  studious,  that  he  may  be  a  workman, 
needing  not  to  be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth. 

His  preaching  talents,  after  a  few  years'  exercise,  were  of  a 
high  order.  He  possessed  agreeable,  animated,  and  impress- 
ive manners,  with  a  strong  and  well  toned  voice.  Notwith- 
standing a  deformity  under  which  he  labored — a  stiffness  in 
the  eyelids,  which  prevented  him  from  raising  them,  and  ren- 
dered it  necessary,  when  he  would  look  before  him,  to  throw 
his  head  very  much  back  and  apply  his  hand  to  the  forehead 
to  draw  up  the  lids — his  appearance,  after  he  commenced 
preaching,  was  prepossessing. 

His  discourses  were  highly  argumentative,  interspersed  with 
frequent  and  apposite  illustrations  from  history  and  from  the 
word  of  God,  and  enforced  by  appeals  of  the  most  powerful 
eloquence.  His  style  was  chaste  and  perspicuous,  sometimes 
highly  ornamented  by  the  most  lively  and  beautiful  figures. 
An  anecdote  is  related,  which  may  serve  to  show  the  power  of 
his  eloquence.  A  lawyer  of  some  eminence,  on  his  way  to 
an  adjoining  county,  passed  on  Sabbath  one  of  his  meetings, 
and  concluded  to  stay  during  preaching.  He  knew  nothing  of 
Jenkins;  but  went  in  and  listened  to  the  sermon.  Upon  re- 
turning to  his  residence,  in  relating  the  circumstance  to  his 
friends,  he  stated  that  he  had  heard  one  of  the  most  powerful 
bursts  of  eloquence  to  which  he  had  ever  listened,  that  the 
preacher,  as  it  were,  suspended  him  over  the  burning  pit,  and 
that,  so  horrific  was  the  representation,  that  his  very  hair 
stood  on  end. 

In  the  year  1806,  he  published  a  discourse  of  sixty  pages,  on 
the  Final  Perseverance  of  the  Saints.  In  this  work,  consid- 
erable talent  is  discovered.  He  writes  like  a  man  who  feels 
conscious  of  being  panoplied  in  the  armor  of  truth.  In  1821, 
he  commenced  a  monthly  periodical,  styled  the  Roanoke  Re- 
ligious Correspondent.  This  was  continued  for  two  years,  and 
was  conducted  with  much  judgment.  So  far  as  it  was  circu- 
lated, it  was  productive  of  good,  but  the  patronage  was  not 
sufficient  to  warrant  its  publication  after  the  second  year. 


352  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

Another  work  of  considerable  merit,  on  the  subject  of  bap. 
tism,  was  published  in  the  year  1827.  This  treatise  exhibits 
an  enlarged  knowledge  of  ecclesiastical  history,  and  a  spirit 
becoming  the  candid  controversialist.  He  was  also  frequently 
called  upon  by  the  Roanoke  Association  to  prepare  their  cir- 
cular letters,  several  of  which  are  valuable,  and  reflect  credit 
on  their  author. 

The  piety  of  Elder  Jenkins  was  of  an  ardent  and  elevated 
character.  Although,  by  a  boarding  school,  which  at  different 
times  he  conducted,  and  which  he  was  urged  to  continue,  he 
might  have  realized  a  handsome  sum,  he  chose  rather  to  de- 
vote himself  chiefly  to  the  ministry.  Wherever  he  went,  his 
good  works  were  seen  adorning  the  doctrine  of  God  his  Sa- 
viour. In  his  journeys,  he  rarely  tarried  a  night  with  a  family 
without  engaging  in  something  more  than  the  ordinary  exer- 
cises of  family  worship.  Whenever  it  was  known  that  he  had 
reached  a  neighborhood,  the  people,  without  invitation,  would 
collect,  and  the  evening  be  spent  by  him  in  religious  services. 
In  his  more  private  intercourse  with  his  fellow  men,  there  was 
a  dignity,  united  with  tenderness,  becoming  his  ministerial 
character.  One  of  the  most  intelligent  ministers  of  Virginia, 
now  living,  states  that  his  mother,  in  very  early  life,  was  in- 
duced seriously  to  consider  her  latter  end,  by  a  simple  ques- 
tion which  he  proposed  to  her,  on  entering  the  dwelling  of  her 
father.  With  an  inexpressively  benign  and  solemn  counte- 
nance, he  asked,  "does  Christ  dwell  here?"  It  resulted  in 
her  conversion  to  God. 

He  was  a  man  of  much  prayer.  This  was  one  of  the  secret 
causes  of  his  influence  as  a  minister.  He  communed  much  with 
God,  and  imbibing  his  spirit,  went  forth  prepared  to  do  good  to 
all  with  whom  he  mingled.  He  continually  indicated  a  quench- 
less desire  to  promote  the  prosperity  of  the  churches,  and  the 
good  of  his  fellow  men.  The  following  extract  from  his  pen, 
will  show  something  of  the  state  of  his  mind  on  these  subjects: 
"While  we  are  often  hearing  of  the  triumphs  of  the  cross  in 
foreign  countries;  while  our  ears  are  cheered  with  the  anima- 


JOHN  JENKINS.  353 

ting  news,  that  the  gracious  work  is  spreading  in  every  direc- 
tion in  our  highly  favored  country;  while  thousands  of  heaven- 
horn  souls  are  daily  emerging  from  darkness  into  the  marvel- 
ous light  of  the  gospel,  mingling  their  prayers  with  the  elder 
saints,  and  uniting  their  voices  in  lofty  songs  to  God  and  the 
Lamb, — we  remain  still  and  inactive;  our  harps  are  hung  upon 
the  willows;  and  we  pass  it  oft',  by  faintly  saying,  'we  wish  we 
could  see  a  revival  amongst  ourselves,'  But  why  is  it  thus 
with  us?  Is  the  Lord's  ear  heavy,  that  he  cannot  hear?  or,  is 
his  arm  shortened,  that  he  cannot  save?  Not  so,  we  must  look 
for  the  cause  at  home.  Let  every  preacher,  every  deacon,  and 
every  private  member  of  the  church,  examine  himself  strictly, 
as  in  the  presence  of  the  living  God,  and  if  he  finds  that  he 
has  been  remiss,  or  negligent  in  any  Christian  duty,  let  him 
repent,  return,  and. do  his  first  works:  let  every  church  be  stir- 
red up  to  use  all  diligence  in  all  the  duties  of  her  charge.  In 
short,  a  reformation  must  first  begin  amongst  professors,  be- 
fore we  can  expect  to  see  it  among  the  unconverted." 

The  labors  of  this  man  of  God  were  extensively  blest.  Sev- 
eral churches,  through  his  instrumentality,  were  commenced 
and  built  up.  To  one  of  his  churches,  during  the  years  1801, 
and  1802,  two  hundred  and  fifty  persons  were  added  under  his 
ministry.  Other  extensive  revivals  were  realized,  at  different 
times,  through  his  labors. 

He  reached  an  advanced  age.  Towards  the  close  of  life, 
his  influence  and  usefulness  were  somewhat  diminished.  Those, 
however,  who  knew  him  best,  and  who  were  with  him  in  his 
last  days,  still  witnessed  the  evidences  of  devotion  to  the  Mas- 
ter, whom  it  was  his  delight,  for  a  succession  of  years,  to  honor 
and  obey.  He  was  for  some  time  confined  by  sickness  before 
his  departure.  In  the  expectation  of  death,  he  was  almost 
constantly  in  a  rapturous  state  of  mind — and,  on  the  24th  of 
January,  1824,  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus. 


•354  BIOGRAPHY    OF 


EDMUND    JOHNS, 


Elder  Edmund  Johns  was  born  in  1766,  but  in  what  por- 
tion of  Virginia  is  not  known.  His  junior  years  were  spent 
in  devotion  to  the  god  of  this  world;  nor  was  he  led  to  the 
contemplation  of  his  guilt  and  ruin,  as  a  transgressor  of  the 
divine  law,  until  he  had  reached  his  thirtieth  year.  About 
1796,  his  mind  became  seriously  impressed  with  the  worth  of 
eternal  things;  and,  guided  by  the  spirit  of  truth,  he  was  in- 
duced to  rejoice  in  the  atoning  righteousness  of  Christ. 

Soon  after  his  conversion,  such  was  his  conviction  of  duty 
in  reference  to  the  ministry,  that  he  began  to  warn  his  fellow 
men,  and  to  beseech  them  to  flee  the  wrath  to  come.  As  he 
continued  to  exercise  his  talents,  his  brethren  encouraged  him 
to  persevere,  and  after  sufficient  trial,  he  was  regularly  or- 
dained as  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ. 

His  ministrations  were  mostly  confined  to  the  county  of 
Campbell,  where  he  spent  most  of  his  days.  From  his  own 
vicinity  he  scarcely  ever  travelled,  and  was  therefore  not  very 
extensively  known  throughout  the  state.  But  his  own  vine- 
yard he  cultivated  industriously,  and  was  not  without  evidences 
of  usefulness.  By  reference  to  Semple's  History,  the  churches 
he  served  are  known  by  the  names  of  Ebenezer  and  New 
Chapel. 

It  was  hoped  by  the  author,  that  some  more  particular  in- 
formation would  have  been  received,  respecting  Elder  Johns; 
but  in  this  he  has  been  disappointed.  .  Nothing  is  known  res- 
pecting the  circumstances  of  his  death,  excepting  that  it 
occurred  on  the  29th  of  December,  1836. 

One  who  was  well  acquainted  with  him,  thus  refers  to  his 
character: — "This  venerable  man  needs  no  eulogy  from  the 
pen  of  friendship.  His  praise  is  in  the  churches.  His  re- 
cord is  on  high.  His  goodness  has  erected  a  monument  in 
the  hearts  of  all  who  were  acquainted  with  him.  The 
writer   of  this  has   often   heard   him  deplore   the  time   and 


JAMES    ELLISON.  355 

talents  which  he  so  long  prostituted  to  the  service  of  the  world, 
the  flesh,  and  Satan;  and  adore  the  riches  of  that  grace  which 
opened  his  eyes,  and  turned  him  from  darkness  to  light,  and 
from  the  power  of  Satan  to  God. 

Being  a  man  of  ardent  temperament,  what  his  hand  found 
to  do,  he  did  with  his  might.  While  he  was  not  slothful  in 
business,  he  was  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord.  Having 
felt  the  bitterness  of  sin,  and  tasted  that  the  Lord  was  gra- 
cious, his  heart  was  filled  with  compassion  for  his  blinded  and 
dying  fellow-men,  and  he  could  not  refrain  from  calling  upon 
them  in  their  mad  career,  to  taste  and  see  that  the  Lord  is  good. 
Forty  years  of  his  life  was  devoted  to  the  gospel  ministry; 
during  which  time  he  studied  to  show  himself  approved  unto 
God,  a  workman  that  needed  not  to  be  ashamed.  He  was  a 
man  of  sound  speech  that  could  not  be  condemned.  His  life 
was  a  beautiful  commentary  upon  the  religion  he  professed. 
He  was  greatly  beloved  by  the  household  of  faith,  and  had  a 
good  report  of  them  that  were  without.  As  a  husband,  a 
father,  a  master,  and  a  citizen,  he  was  not  only  free  from  re- 
proach, but  truly  exemplary.  In  short,  he  lived  the  life,  and 
died  the  death  of  the  righteons.  His  path  was  indeed  the 
path  of  the  just,  widening  and  brightening  to  the  perfect  day. 
As  his  outward  man  perished,  his  inward  man  was  renewed 
day  by  day.  He  spoke  of  his  departure  with  composure  and 
delight — conversed  freely  and  affectionately  with  his  family 
and  friends,  and  requested  the  venerable  partner  of  his  joys 
and  sorrows  to  resign  him  up  cheerfully,  as  he'  was  perfectly 
resigned,  and  ready   to  depart  and  be  with  Christ. 


JAMES     ELLISON 


The  father  of  Elder  James  Ellison,  was  originally  from  the 
state  of  New  Jersey.  Having  removed  to  Virginia,  and  mar- 
ried, he  settled  in  the  western  part  of  the  state.    James  was  the 


356  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

eldest  son,  and  was  born  in  Farley's  fort,  New"  river,  April 
29th,  1778.  Not  long  after  his  birth,  his  parents  became  the 
subjects  of  religious  concern,  and  united  with  the  Baptist 
church.  They  were  poor,  and  unable  to  educate  their  children. 
In  his  eighteenth  year,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  married  Miss 
Mary  Calloway,  a  person  who  was  near  his  own  age  and  cir- 
cumstances in  life.  About  a  year  after  this  connexion  was 
formed,  he  was  the  subject  of  great  alarm,  on  account  of  his 
sins.  He  saw  himself  exposed  to  ruin,  and  determined  to  re- 
form his  life.  For  several  months  he  was  a  most  rigid  formal- 
ist, maintaining  family  worship,  and  regularly  attending  the 
house  of  God.  But  he  again  relapsed  into  sin,  and  became  more 
wicked  than  before.  To  all  human  appearance,  he  was  likely 
not  only  to  neglect  his  soul's  interest,  but  to  become  a  reckless 
opposer  of  the  truth.  But  the  omnipotence  of  divine  grace 
was  displayed  in  plucking  this  brand  from  the  burning:  a  con- 
versation between  his  father  and  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  was 
made  the  means  of  again  arresting  his  attention.  Many  efforts 
were  made  to  banish  serious  impressions  from  the  mind,  but  all 
in  vain.  Wherever  he  went  he  felt  himself  to  be  a  miserable 
man,  and  what  seemed  most  to  increase  the  anguish  of  his 
heart,  was  the  recollection  of  previous  failures.  The  wrath  to 
come  was  felt  to  be  justly  deserved,  and  being  ignorant  of  the 
righteousness  of  God,  the  most  fearfully  conflicting  emotions 
were  experienced.  In  such  a  state  of  mind,  how  cheering  are 
the  invitations  of  the  gospel.  These  furnish  hope  to  the  most 
wretched  and  guilty.  In  these,  he  found  relief.  He  joined  the 
Indian  creek  Baptist  church  in  1800. 

He  was  soon  discovered  to  possess  talents  which  might  be 
useful,  and  was  frequently  invited  to  conduct  social  meetings. 
For  three  years  he  embraced  every  opportunity  of  exhorting 
those  around  him  to  prepare  for  death.  At  length,  he  was  li- 
censed to  preach.  Considerable  portions  of  time  were  now 
employed  in  study,  and  a  prevailing  thirst  for  improvement  was 
evinced;  every  leisure  moment  being  husbanded  with  the  utmost 
care.     Several  valuable  books  were  presented   by  friends,  and 


JAMES    ELLISON  357 

perused  with  great  interest:  but  the  bible  was  the  volume  he 
was  chiefly  accustomed  to  study,  and  from  this  uncorrupted 
fountain  he  drank  largely  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

Elder  Ellison  was  not  ordained  until  1808;  being  then  about 
thirty  years  of  age.  At  this  time  he  took  charge  of  the  church 
with  which  he  first  united,  but  afterwards  removed  to  the  Coal 
marshes  in  Fayette.  When  he  settled  in  this  county,  he  was 
less  abundant  in  labors,  and  less  efficient  in  his  Master's  cause 
than  formerly,  but  having  met  with  a  variety  of  trials;  lie  re- 
newedly  consecrated  himself  to  God,  and  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry.  For  many  years  he  was  one  of  the  most  active 
ministers  of  the  Greenbriar  Association.  The  urgent  necessi- 
ties of  the  churches,  and  the  repeated  solicitation  of  his  breth- 
ren, kept  him  almost  constantly  employed.  In  the  counties  of 
Giles,  Monroe,  Greenbriar,  Bath,  and  Nicholas,  he  travelled 
much,  dispensing  the  word  of  life;  and  while  he  preached 
Christ  publicly,  he  neglected  not  to  warn  from  house  to  house; 
great  pleasure  was  manifested  by  him  in  conversing  on  the  sub- 
ject of  religion,  and  in  this  way  he  was  quite  useful. 

His  views  of  truth  were  similar  to  those  entertained  by  the 
great  body  of  the  Baptists.  Those  doctrines  which  lay  the 
sinner  in  the  dust,  and  leave  him  dependent  on  the  mere  mercy 
of  his  sovereign,  were  often  introduced  and  defended  in  his 
public  discourses.  No  less  faithful  were  his  exhibitions  of 
human  responsibility.  While  he  taught,  that  it  was  a  crime  of 
unspeakable  heinousness  not  to  love  God  with  all  the  heart,  so 
also  he  considered  the  refusal  of  sinners,  to  believe  the  gospel 
equally  sinful. 

"With  regard  to  his  manner  of  preaching,"  says  one  who  had 
opportunity  of  forming  a  judgment,  "when  he  commenced  the 
ministry,  he  was  generally  uninteresting;  and  at  a  great  loss 
for  words.  He  seldom  ever  confined  himself  to  any  particular 
method,  until  he  had  been  preaching  several  years,  when  he 
became  more  systematic.  He  was  justly  called  a  doctrinal 
preacher,  but  seldom  failed  to  apply  the  truth  to  the  hearts  of 
his  hearers,  and  often  in  such  a  way  as  to  excite  deep  interest. 
31 


358  BIOGRAniV    OF 

He  was  a  considerable  reasoner:  some  of  his  appeals  to  the  un- 
converted  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life  were  very  powerful.  If 
he  may  be  regarded  as  delighting  to  dwell  on  any  one  theme 
more  than  another,  it  was  the  adaptedness  of  the  gospel  to  the 
necessities  of  sinners." 

Elder  Ellison  was  an  uncompromising  friend  to  the  cause  of 
missions.  To  know  that  the  glad  tidings  of  redeeming  love, 
were  finding  their  way  to  the  idolatrous  nations  of  the  earth, 
created  the  most  unaffected  joy.  He  delighted  to  refer  to  those 
prophecies,  which  speak  of  the  glory  of  the  latter  day.  Any 
means  which  might  under  the  divine  blessing  contribute  to  the 
accomplishment  of  these  prophecies  he  most  willingly  employed. 
His  addresses  on  the  subject  of  missions  were  productive  of 
great  good,  by  leading  the  churches  to  feel  their  obligation  to 
send  abroad  the  gospel  of  the  blessed  God.  There  was  scarce- 
ly a  benevolent  institution,  but  found  in  him  not  only  an  advo- 
cate, but  a  patron.  He  delighted  to  do  as  well  as  say,  and 
thus  his  example  stimulated  others  to  act.  It  is  said  in  the 
latter  part  of  his  life,  he  gave  away  to  various  good  objects  more 
than  he  received  from  the  churches. 

During  one  portion  of  his  ministerial  career,  Elder  E.  was 
much  embarrassed  in  his  pecuniary  concerns.  It  is  possible,  in 
this  particular,  he  did  not  exercise  sufficient  caution.  There 
may  be  cases  when  a  good  man  may  unavoidably  become  in- 
volved in  debt,  but  in  most  instances  such  difficulties  are  the 
result  of  imprudence.  It  is  an  apostolic  injunction  to  "owe  no 
man  any  thing,''  and  this  precept  is  no  less  binding  than  saluta- 
ry. Every  man  then,  and  especially  every  Christian  minister, 
should  cautiously  circumscribe  his  expenditures  within  his  re- 
sources. Nothing  tends  more  to  lessen  the  influence  of  a 
preacher,  than  the  disregard  of  this  rule.  It  is  believed  that 
the  ministrations  of  our  brother  were  less  efficient  on  this  ac- 
count. Notwithstanding  this  he  was  a  useful  man.  Considering 
his  large  family,  having  reared  twelve  children,  and  the  fact  that 
he  was  dependent  on  his  own  exertions  for  a  livelihood,  it  is 
rather  surprising  that  he  should  have  improved  so  much,  and 


JAMES    ELLISON.  359 

preached  so  frequently.  The  neglect  of  the  churches  in  failing 
to  provide  more  bountifully  for  his  support  is  painfully  apparent. 
Wu  now  approach  the  close  of  his  life.  In  the  spring  of 
1884,  he  determined  to  attend  the  General  Association  which 
was  to  meet  in  Richmond.  Accordingly,  with  his  son,  he  left 
home  in  May,  and  on  his  way  visited  several  congregations 
where  he  had  previously  preached.  He  also  attended  the  Straw- 
berry Association,  and  a  protracted  meeting  at  Deep  run  near 
Richmond.  Owing  to  indisposition,  he  did  not  go  into  the  city 
until  the  second  day  of  the  anniversaries;  from  that  time,  though 
quite  unwell,  he  never  failed  to  attend  either  night  or  day  until 
compelled  to  leave,  to  meet  appointments  previously  made.  The 
morning  after  leaving  the  city  he  was  extremely  hoarse,  and 
unable  to  preach  until  Sabbath  evening;  he  then  addressed  a 
very  attentive  assembly  from  the  words:  "as  Moses  lifted  up  the 
serpent,''  &c.  Two  days  after  this  he  became  too  unwell  to 
travel,  having  reached  the  house  of  a  friend  between  Liberty 
and  Fincastle.   . 

Two  days  after  his  confinement,  he  observed  to  some  one 
present,  that  he  had  travelled  much  in  preaching  the  gospel, 
but  this  was  his  last  journey;  he  also  remarked,  that  the  con- 
dition of  the  churches  had  occupied  much  of  his  thoughts, 
and  that  he  felt  a  strong  desire  to  see  them  more  prosperous. 
The  same  subject  was  renewed  the  next  day.  "I  have,"  said 
he,  "been  thinking  all  night  of  the  happy  influence  which 
Christians  might  have  over  one  another;  I  am  distressed  that 
the  church  of  Christ  is  so  divided;  the  disciples  should  rally 
their  forces,  and  be  united,  they  might  wield  an  almighty 
power."  After  worship,  he  said,  "I  have  reason  to  be  ashamed 
of  myself,  so  few  prayers  offered  in  faith."  The  same  day, 
he  adverted  also  to  the  condition  of  the  colored  people,  la- 
mented that  their  religious  privileges  were  so  much  abridged, 
and  especially  that  they  were  unable  to  read  the  word  of  God. 

On  the  21st  of  the  month,  he  conversed  much  on  the  great 
salvation  of  the  gospel,  and  the  duty  of  sending  it  to  every 
creature — spoke  also  of  the    temperance    reform.     At  night, 


360  BIOGRAPHY   OF 

commented  on  the  love  of  David  to  Jonathan,  his  mind  un- 
commonly clear.  The  22d  being  the  Sabbath,  he  requested 
his  son  to  read  the  17th  chapter  of  John,  and  some  of  the  suc- 
ceeding chapters,  and  manifested  peculiar  delight  in  contem- 
plating this  pathetic  portion  of  the  word  of  God.  For  several 
days  he  continued  to  decline,  during  which  time  he  was  fre- 
quently heard  to  speak  of  Christ  and  his  salvation.  In  ex. 
pressing  his  conviction  of  what  the  Christians  in  these  United 
States  should  be  willing  to  do,  he  said  "they  ought  to  consecrate 
themselves,  their  time,  talents,  and  money,  to  the  Lord;  not 
inquiring  when  or  how  they  could  make  the  most,  or  live  the 
easiest,  but  where,  or  how  they  could  do  the  most  good."  In 
reference  to  his  own  future  condition,  he  was  perfectly  satis- 
fied. He  would  say,  "I  am  the  chief  of  sinners,  but  the  blood 
of  Jesus  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin,''  and,  "his  atonement  is  my 
only  hope."  On  the  evening  of  the  27th,  after  lying  for  some 
time  as  though  he  was  asleep,  he  opened  his  eyes;  with  a  smile, 
raised  his  feeble  emaciated  hands  towards  heaven,  and  ex- 
claimed, glory,  glory;   soon  after  repeated, 

"All  my  capacious  powers  can  wish, 

In  thee  doth  richly  meet, 
Nor  to  my  eyes  is  life  so  dear, 

Nor  friendship  half  so  sweet." 

A  friend  came  in  and  asked  him  how  he  was,  he  replied,  "if 
I  die  I  shall  be  well,"  about  sunset  he  became  unable  to  speak, 
but  still  manifested  great  pleasure  in  what  was  sung.  Be- 
tween 2  and  3  o'clock,  he  bid  farewell  to  earth's  low  cares,  and 
mounted  upward  to  dwell  with  God. 


JEREMIAH    CHANDLER.* 

Jeremiah   Chandler,   according  to  the  best  information 
that,  can  be  obtained,  was  a  native  of  Caroline  county.      He 
was  born  in  the  year  1749.      From  Caroline  he  removed  into 
*  Prepared  by  Johu  Pierce. 


MILES   TURPIN.  361 

the  county  of  Orange.  But  little  is  known  of  his  early  life,  or, 
as  to  the  circumstances,  or  time  of  his  embracing  religion. 
More  than  forty  years  ago,  he  moved  into  the  county  of  Spot- 
sylvania, where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death.  He 
was,  at  the  time  of  his  removal,  a  Baptist  minister;  but  how 
long  he  had  been  preaching  before,  is  unknown.  He  had  the 
care  of  two  churches,  North  Pamunky,  in  the  county  of 
Orange,  and  Piny  branch,  in  Spotsylvania;  both  of  which  he 
continued  to  serve,  so  long  as  he  was  able,  with  unwearied 
zeal,  and  more  than  ordinary  punctuality. 

Elder  Chandler's  opportunities  for  ministerial  improvement 
were  very  limited;  having  a  large  family  of  children  depend- 
ent upon  his  own  exertions  for  support,  he  had  but  little  time 
to  devote  to  any  other  object.  Nevertheless,  his  was  a  success- 
ful ministry,  and  affords  another,  to  examples  already  innu- 
merable, of  the  scriptural  truth,  that,  "it  is  God  who  giveth 
the  increase."  Among  the  seals  to  his  ministry  may  be  reck- 
oned the  names  of  two  Baptist  preachers,  both  of  whom  occu- 
py a  distinguished  place  in  the  affections  of  Virginia  Baptists, 
to  wit,  John  A.  Billingsley,  the  other,  Elder  L.  W.  Hemdon, 
still  living,  and  serving  four  churches. 

The  chief  excellency  of  Elder  Chandler's  preaching,  con- 
sisted in  a  plain  and  simple  delivery  of  the  truths  of  the  Chris- 
tian religion,  as  taught  in  the  scriptures,  experimentally  learn- 
ed by  the  subject  of  grace.  He  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-five  years;  having  enjoyed,  at  least  in  his  latter  years, 
an  unusual  portion  of  health.  As  to  the  manner  of  his  depar- 
ture, the  writer  of  this  knows  nothing  personally,  but  has  been 
credibly  informed,  that  he  died  in  the  triumph  of  faith. 


MILES    TURPIN, 


Miles  Tcrpin  was  born  in  Henrico  county,  October  21st, 
1775.     He  grew  up  with  few  advantages  for  the  cultivation  of 
31* 


862  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

his  mind,  and,  at  the  time  of  his  conversion,  was  quite  illite- 
rate. This  event  occurred  in  1803,  about  two  years  after  he 
had  entered  the  marriage  relation.  Although  uneducated,  he 
cherished  a  desire  publicly  to  exhort  his  fellow  men,  and,  with 
the  sanction  of  the  church,  for  many  years  employed  his  talent 
in  this  way.  He  at  length  began  to  preach  the  gospel.  The 
support  of  a  numerous  family  devolving  on  him,  this  privilege 
was  not  very  frequently  enjoyed.  In  consequence  of  his  nu- 
merous domestic  cares,  but  little  proficiency  in  knowledge  was 
made,  nor  did  he  rapidly  improve  as  a  public  speaker. 

The  responsibilities  of  the  Christian  ministry,  were  not  fully 
assumed  by  him  until  1821.  In  the  spring  of  this  year,  he 
was  ordained  by  Elders  John  Courtney  and  Andrew  Broaddus. 
He  then  began  to  devote  more  time  to  the  work  of  preaching 
the  gospel.  The  church  at  Four-mile  creek  gave  him  an  invi- 
tation to  settle  among  them  as  their  pastor,  and  after  much 
prayer,  he  consented  to  enter  upon  this  relation.  His  useful- 
ness now  became  more  apparent,  although  his  efforts  were  not 
much  extended  beyond  the  county  in  which  he  resided. 

The  talents  of  Elder  Turpin  as  a  speaker,  were  not  of  a  su- 
perior order;  still  he  was  usually  heard  with  attention.  Art- 
less and  plain  in  his  manner,  when  he  stood  up  to  recommend 
the  character  and  service  of  Him  he  most  loved,  it  was  evi- 
dent to  all  that  he  was  influenced  by  the  best  of  motives. 
Though  the  graces  of  elocution,  and  the  beauties  of  style 
were  not  to  be  discovered  in  the  delivery  of  his  di3courses,  nor 
even  depth  of  thought,  he  nevertheless  enjoyed  the  respect  and 
confidence  of  those  who  sat  under  his  ministry.  Nor  was  he 
without  manifest  tokens  of  his  Master's  approbation;  many, 
through  his  means,  were  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth. 
The  unaffected  goodness  of  his  heart,  and  the  blamelessness  of 
his  life,  contributed  more  to  his  usefulness  as  a  preacher,  than 
his  talents.  The  unadorned  presentation  of  the  truth,  sustain- 
ed as  it  was  by  the  winning  influence  of  a  holy  example,  could 
not  be  without  salutary  effects. 

As  a  pastor,  Elder  Turpin  was,   to  a  very  considerable  ex- 


MILES   TURPIN.  363 

tent,  successful.  A  large  and  flourishing  church  was  built  up 
under  his  labors.  When  he  entered  the  pastoral  relation,  there 
were  only  four  male  members,  and  the  number  of  females  was 
comparatively  small;  at  the  time  of  bis  death,  there  had  been 
an  increase  of  more  than  three  hundred.  He  bad  the  happi- 
ness of  seeing  most  of  his  numerous  family  the  subjects  of 
Christ's  kingdom  before  he  was  called  to  bis  reward  in  heaven. 
What  was  to  him  an  unspeakable  satisfaction,  one  of  his  sons 
entered  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry  with  the  promise  of 
usefulness  in  the  kingdom  of  the  Redeemer.  Since  his  death, 
this  son  has  succeeded  him  in  the  pastoral  office. 

Elder  Turpiu's  death  was  unexpected.  Being  suddenly  ar- 
rested by  disease,  after  a  few  days  of  suffering,  he  was  received 
by  his  heavenly  Master  to  the  rest  of  the  upper  world.  In  re- 
ferring to  this  painful  event,  one  of  the  members  of  his  church 
thus  speaks: — "The  Lord's  day  previous  to  the  last  that  he 
lived  to  see,  he  preached,  and  had  administered  the  ordinance 
of  baptism  a  very  short  time  before.  And,  in  his  dying  hours, 
nothing  seemed  so  much  to  concern  him,  as  the  future  prospects 
of  the  people  of  bis  charge.  His  chief  anxiety  was,  that  sin- 
ners might  be  converted,  and  the  piety  of  the  saints  cherished. 

"That  his  family  would  continue  to  enjoy  the  kind  guidance, 
almighty  protection,  and  necessary  provisions  of  Providence, 
he  seems  to  have  felt  not  a  doubt.  In  life,  he  had  been  de- 
voted to  the  service  of  God,  in  laboring  for  the  salvation  of 
souls — concerned  only  to  acquire  a  competency  for  his  family: 
in  death,  he  had  nothing  to  do  but  to  'depart  and  be  with 
Christ,  which  is  far  better.'  He  was  fully  aware  of  his  ap- 
proaching dissolution.  Indeed  his  family  think  that  he  had 
felt,  for  many  months,  a  presentiment  of  his  death.  In  the 
entire  exercise  of  his  reason  until  the  last,  he  confidently  re- 
signed his  spirit  without  alarm,  to  the  hands  of  the  great  Re- 
deemer." 

The  editor  of  the  Religious  Herald,  alludes  to  his  character 
in  the  following  language: — "Endued  by  nature  with  a  kindly 
disposition,  Elder  Turpin  exhibited  in  his  spirit  and  deportment, 


364  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

a  degree  of  good  will  and  benevolence,  we  have  rarely  seen 
excelled.  The  pervading  element  of  his  mind,  was  love.  It 
gave  a  cast  to  his  whole  character.  He  was  kindly  affectioned 
towards  all  men.  His  language  ever  appeared  to  be,  'Grace 
be  unto  all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity.'  He 
was  also  ardently  attached  to  all  the  benevolent  institutions, 
which  have  shed  such  a  lustre  on  the  present  age.  Though 
not  blessed  with  a  liberal  education  himself,  he  was  sensible 
of  the  value  of  knowledge  to  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  and  he 
ardently  rejoiced  at  the  formation  of  the  Virginia  Education 
Society;  and  ever  manifested  a  deep  interest  in  its  welfare. 
He  also  encouraged  a  missionary  spirit  amongst  his  people, 
not  only  by  exhortation,  but  example.  He  felt  anxious  that 
the  gospel,  which  to  him  was  the  power  of  God  unto  salva- 
tion, should  be  preached  to  every  creature.  He  was  also  a 
decided  friend  to  the  temperance  cause." 


SAMUEL    LAMKIN    STRAUGHAN,* 

Samuel  Lamkin  Straughan  was  born  in  Northumberland 
county,  Virginia,  July  30,  17H3.  He  was  the  son  of  Samuel 
L.  and  Phebe  Straughan,  who  was  Phebe  Lewis.  His  family, 
on  the  side  of  both  father  and  mother,  though  not  opulent, 
was  respectable.  His  father,  who  followed  the  business  of  a 
farmer,  required  his  sons  to  work  on  the  farm;  and  this  was 
Samuel's  employment,  as  soon  as  he  was  of  sufficient  size  to 
be  engaged  in  labor.  He  went  two  or  three  years  to  ordinary 
schools,  at  which  he  made  the  best  use  of  his  time;  and  had 
acquired,  at  eleven  or  twelve  years  of  age,  sufficient  skill  in 
the  various  branches  of  an  English  education  to  become  an 
assistant  storekeeper  for  his  uncle. 

During   his  childhood,  he   was  remarkable   for  his  serious 

'Abridged,  by  R.  B.  Semple. 


SAMUEL    L.    STRAUGIIAN.  365 

and  manly  deportment:  often  asking  interesting  questions,  and 
manifesting  but  little  inclination  for  childish  play.  lie  took 
great  pleasure  in  reading,  writing,  and  all  such  employments 
as  tended  to  improve  his  mind  in  useful  knowledge.  At  a 
very  early  age  he  became  fond  of  reading  the  scriptures  and 
other  religious  books,  and  making  inquiries  of  his  parents  re- 
specting religious  subjects;  insomuch,  that  his  father  used  often 
to  call  him  his  preacher.  He  was  never  known  but  once,  to 
use  a  profane  expression;  and  being  chastised  for  this  by,  his 
mother,  he  was  never  afterwards  guilty  of  a  similar  offence. 
After  he  became  a  preacher,  he  frequently  mentioned  this  cir- 
cumstance, as  a  proof  of  the  advantage  of  religious  and  mo- 
ral education,  and  how  easily  bad  habits  may  be  prevented,  if 
the  evil   be  corrected  in  time. 

His  deportment,  while  living  with  his  uncle,  was  so  amiable 
as  to  gain  his  entire  confidence  and  cordial  affection;  and  hav- 
ing no  children  of  his  own,  he  declared  that  it  was  his  inten- 
tion to  make  his  nephew  his  heir.*  He  continued  in  this 
situation  until  his  uncle  declined  the  mercantile  business,  and 
then,  by  his  recommendation,  went  to  live  in  the  store  of  Mr. 
James  Smith,  a  merchant  of  high  standing,  at  Northumber- 
land court-house.  Samuel  was  then  eighteen  or  nineteen  years 
of  age.  While  acting  as  store-keeper  for  his  uncle,  such  was 
his  eager  thirst  for  knowledge,  that  with  scarcely  any  other 
assistant  than  books,  and  the  occasional  ins; ruction  of  a  sea 
captain,  he  acquired  an  accurate  knowledge  of  arithmetic,  sur- 
veying, and  navigation.  lie  pursued,  afterwards,  the  practice 
of  surveying,  in  which  he  was  accounted  a  great  proficient. 

It  was  while  at  Northumberland  court-house,  that  Mr. 
Straughan  obtained  an  interest  in  the  merits  of  the  Redeemer, 
and  experienced  the  power  of  vital  religion.  From  early 
childhood,  he  had  frequent  convictions,  often  made  resolutions 
of  amendment  of  life,  and  as  often  relapsed  into  former  habits: 
but  the  time  now  approached  for  him  to  be  effectually  arrested. 

•His  uncle,  however,  died  without  will,  and  Samuel  received  only  his 
portion  among  the  other  relations. 


ODD  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

In  April,  1802,  he  first  saw  his  Allien  and  forlorn  condition,  as 
a  sinner  before  God.  He  could  no  longer  build  up  his  fal- 
lacious hopes,  founded  on  works  of  morality  and  social 
goodness;  but  he  found  that  his  most  righteous  endeavors,  so 
far  from  meriting  a  reward,  were  stained  with  sin,  and  re- 
quired the  blood  of  atonement  to  wash  away  their  guilt.  He 
became  an  earnest,  humble  seeker  of  salvation,  and  so  con- 
tinued for  several  months,  before  he  was  visited  by  the  intima- 
tions of  divine  acceptance. 

Being  at  some  distance  from  the  regular  administration  of 
the  word  and  ordinances,  Mr.  Straughan  did  not  find  an  op- 
portunity to  be  baptized  until  the  7th  of  the  next  April.  Mr. 
Jacob  Creath,  had,  at  this  time,  the  care  of  the  Moratico 
church.  He  baptized  Mr.  S.  without,  probably,  once  suspect- 
ing, that  this  young  man  was  to  be  his  successor,  and  one 
among  the  most  brilliant  lights  in  his  day  and  generation. 

Within  a  few  months  after  he  was  baptized,  he  began  to 
labor  in  his  Master's  harvest.  His  first  essays  were  in  the 
way  of  exhortation;  in  which  he  occasionally  succeeded  so 
well  as  to  enkindle  hopes  in  the  minds  of  the  discerning,  that 
he  might  become  an  acceptable  and  useful  preacher.  Mr.  S. 
was  singularly  modest,  and  would  not  push  himself  forward. 
He  seemed,  through  ail  the  stages  of  his  life,  to  have  set  less 
value  on  his  own  abilities,  than  any  one  else  did  who  knew 
him  well.  This  disposition,  together  with  his  narrow  circum- 
stances, his  limited  education,  the  charge  of  a  family  by  an 
early  marriage,*  probably  tended  to  keep  him,  for  a  season, 
out  of  public  view.  It  was  two  or  three  years  before  he  came 
into  much  notice;  though  a  kw  friends  had,  at  an  early  period 
of  his  labors,  spoken  of  him  as  a  promising  young   preacher. 

Towards  the  close,  however,  of  1805,  he  began  to  shine 
forth,  with  too  much  splendor  to  be  kept  any  longer  in  obscu- 
rity.    On  the   20th  of  March,  1800,  he  was  ordained  to   the 


•He  was  married  at  about  twenty-one  years  of  age  to  Mrs.  Alexan- 
der, a  young  widow  with  one  child. 


SAMUEL    h.    STRAUCHAN.  3G7 

ministry,  and  about  that  time  began  to  be  every  where  spoken 
of  in  high  terms.  He  attended  the  Dover  Association,  held 
in  York  county,  this  year;  and  being  chosen  as  one  of  the 
preachers  for  the  Lord's  day,  he  preached  to  the  comfort  of 
many,  and  to  the  astonishment  of  all  such  as  had  not  previously 
heard  him.  From  year  to  year  his  reputation  increased,  not 
only  in  his  own  neighborhood,  but  throughout  the  adjoining 
churches:  and  although  still  but  a  young  man,  he  was  often, 
indeed  almost  constantly,  preferred  by  the  hearers  to  the  more 
experienced. 

On  the  day  of  his  ordination,  he  took  the  care  of  Wicomico 
church;  being  called  to  this  charge  by  unanimous  vote.  This 
church  had  been  constituted  a  year  or  two  previously,  with  but 
twenty-four  members;  but  it  soon  began  to  increase  under  his 
labors.  The  mere  approbation  of  mortals  was  not  the  only 
fruit  of  his  ministry:  his  God  also  spoke  approbation,  and  great 
success  attended  his  endeavors.  A  refreshing  revival  ensued. 
His  preaching  reached  the  hearts  of  his  hearers,  and  there 
were  many  humble  and  contrite  inquirers.  Mr.  Straughau's 
soul  revived  with  the  revival.  He  went  forth  day  and  night, 
bo  rich  and  poor,  where  there  were  openings.  In  the  pulpit, 
he  lifted  the  gospel  hammer  with  mighty  strength,  and  many 
a  rocky  heart  was  broken.  When  there  were  meltings  in  the 
congregation,  he  would  move  among  the  people,  from  one  to 
another,  offering  the  most  appropriate  exhortations,  and  the 
most  fervent  prayers.  He  had  indeed  a  singular  gift  at  ex- 
hortation, on  such  occasions,  and  he  used  it  with  much  dili- 
gence and  success.  In  the  course  of  a  i'ew  years,  Wicomico 
church,  from  being  a  more  handful,  became  two  hundred  and 
eighty  in  number.  Of  these  there  were  many  who  had  not 
previously  any  fondness  for  the  Baptists — but,  on  the  contrary, 
were  highly  prejudiced  against  them. 

In  1807,  he  was  unanimously  chosen  to  the  care  of  Morat- 
ico  church.  He  accepted  the  call,  and  held  the  charge  until 
his  death.  In  this  church  also,  he  had  some  blessed  seasons. 
Gradual  additions,  of  useful  and   pious  members,  were  made 


368  biography  or 

from  time  to  time:  but  in  1816  they  had  a  considerable  revi- 
val, in  which  forty  or  fifty  professed  to  be  converted  and  were 
baptized.  In  this  work  Mr.  S.  was  deeply  engaged.  In  sev- 
eral other  revivals,  there  were  many  useful  as  well  as  pious 
members  added  to  both  the  churches,  of  which  he  had  the 
care;  and  these  churches  continued  in  a  flourishing  and  happy 
state  until  his  death. 

In  the  association  of  1812,  Mr.  Straughan's  first  essay  as  a 
writer  came  forth.  He  composed  the  Circular  Letter  for  this 
year,  on  the  subject  of  itinerant  preaching.  It  was  admired 
for  its  simplicity  and  excellent  sense.  In  the  year  1814,  he 
was  chosen  by  the  Missionary  Society  of  Richmond,  to  travel 
into  certain  parts  of  Maryland,  where  it  was  supposed  there 
was  a  great  call  for  evangelical  preaching. 

Mr.  Straughan  had  once  visited  that  destitute  section  of 
country,  by  special  invitation,  and  had  been  found  to  be  highly 
acceptable.  This  consideration,  added  to  his  known  talents, 
his  persevering  firmness,  his  unabating  zeal;  and  above  all,  hia 
spotless  purity  of  character,  marked  him  out  as  the  proper  la- 
borer in  this  new  and  difficult  field.  He  was  unanimously 
chosen;  and  his  conduct  on  receiving  this  notice,  is  worthy  of  a 
place  in  these  memoirs. 

The  intelligence  produced  on  his  mind  a  weighty  solemnity, 
attended  with  fear  and  trembling.  He  was  perplexed  to  decide 
how  duty  called  him  to  act.  He  had  the  care  of  two  large 
churches,  which  required  all  his  attention;  and  he  feared  tone- 
gleet  them,  lest  he  should  not  be  found  a  faithful  watchman. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  Maryland  call  seemed  to  be  more  than 
human,  and  could  not  be  slighted.  In  this  dilemma  he  pur- 
sued the  godly  man's  course.  He  laid  the  matter  before  his 
church,  and  they  agreed  to  appoint  a  clay  of  fasting  and  prayer, 
for  the  purpose  of  seeking  the  Lord's  direction.  The  result 
was  a  determination  to  accept  the  appointment,  and  notice  was 
accordingly  given  to  the  society.  In  a  short  time,  he  sent  on 
his  appointments,  and  commenced  his  labors  of  love  in  this  be- 
nighted region.    Many  were  the  difficulties  encountered  by  this 


SAMUEL    L.    STRAUGHAN.  360 

man  of  God,  in  discharging  the  duties  of  this  mission;  difficulties 
more  than  sufficient  to  appal  the  spirit  of  any  man  less  resolute 
than  Samuel  L.  Straughan. 

His  amiable  deportment — his  simplicity  of  manners — his 
unaffected  piety — his  unabating  zeal — his  indefatigable  labors 
— his  excellent  talents;  and  withal,  his  spiritual,  scriptural,  and 
evangelical  doctrine,  commending  itself  to  every  man's  con- 
science in  the  sight  of  God — soon  began  to  make  him  useful. 
From  enemies,  many  became  friends,  and  from  despisers,  they 
became  admirers. 

Mr.  S.  kept  a  journal  of  all  his  travels  in  Maryland.  In  this 
journal  he  frequently  relates  interestinganecdotesof occurrences 
and  conversations,  which  took  place  in  his  travels;  some  of  which 
show  the  state  of  public  opinion  among  those  people,  and  ex- 
hibit the  dealings  of  God  in  support  of  the  truth. 

Mr.  Straughan's  visits  to  Maryland  continued  to  be  made, 
steadily  and  faithfully,  several  times  in  each  year,  until  he  was 
arrested  by  the  disease  of  which  he  died.  He  often  met  with 
great  discouragements,  but  was  as  often  supported  under  them; 
either  by  the  internal  operations  of  God's  grace,  or  by  external 
occurrences  in  his  providence,  in  which  he  thought  he  frequent- 
ly saw  the  hand  of  his  Master,  stretched  forth  for  his  encourage- 
ment and  aid.  On  one  occasion,  he  tells  us  in  his  journal,  he 
had  serious  fears,  that  his  going  on  this  mission  was  displeasing 
to  God.  It  was  at  a  time  when  he  had  taken  much  pains  to 
make  appointments  in  different  places,  and  in  most  of  which 
they  had  failed,  through  the  inattention  of  those  to  whom  they 
were  entrusted.  In  one  case,  where  an  appointment  was  made, 
he  could  obtain  no  house  to  preach  in,  though  he  offered  a  woman 
who  kept  a  tavern  a  dollar  an  hour  for  the  use  of  her  house. 
She  alledged  that  she  had  no  objection,  but  that  her  preacher  had 
disapproved  of  it.  To  counteract  these  discouragements,  God 
gave  him  many  tokens  of  his  spceial  regard. 

The  great  ignorance  as  to  the  scriptures,  among  the  people, 
most  of  whom  were  Catholics,  was  very  discouraging;  but   it 
seemed  to  call  the  more  loudly  for  a  faithful  ministry.    Some,  in 
32 


370  BtoGitAPHY    OF 

speaking  of  the  bible,  would  say,  "1  don't  like  it,  sir:"  and  som0 
would  say,  it  was  a  Baptist  bible,  and  ought  not  to  be  allowed  in 
their  houses.  Mr.  S.  however,  drew  some  encouragement  from 
the  judgments  of  God  against  opposers.  In  one  instance,  some 
young  men  went  to  a  place  of  water,  and  there,  in  a  profane  way, 
dipped  one  another  in  the  name  of  the  holy  Trinity!  One  of  them 
(a  ringleader)  some  time  after,  in  a  fit  of  despair,  went  to  the 
same  water  and  drowned  himself.  Mr.  Straughan's  remark  is*^** 
"God  will  not  be  mocked!" 

On  some  occasions  he  seems  to  have  had  his  soul  wound  up 
to  a  high  degree  of  confidence  and  consolation— while  his 
preaching  had  visible  and  hopeful  effects  upon  the  people;  some 
weeping  and  mourning  for  sin;  some  inquiring  with  anxious 
minds;  a  few  young  and  a  (esv  old  professors  rejoicing  with 
warm  hearts;  and  all  exceedingly  affectionate  towards  him. 

In  his  visit  in  April,  1817,  he  relates  a  i'ery  solemn  parting 
with  his  young  Christian  brethren.  "Brother  Perry  came  by 
to  accompany  me  to  the  ferry.  We  joined  in  prayer  on  the 
shore  before  we  parted."  On  this  occurrence  he  makes  the 
following  reflections:  "Oh  how  religion  unites  souls  to  each 
other  in  the  strong  bonds  of  Christian  affection!  Oh  what  a 
place  heaven  must  be!  where  all  the  saints  of  God  shall  dwell 
secure  from  all  the  insults  and  distresses  which  they  now  have 
to  bear: — where  all  the  angels  of  God  are;  and  where  the  eternal 
triune  God  displays  his  glories  and  sheds  abroad  his  love, 
through  the  glorious  medium  of  the  once  suffering  but  now  eX* 
alted  immanuel!  Oh!  may  it  be  my  happiness  to  be  there,  (o 
bear  a  part  in  the  never  ceasing  song  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb." 
At  ono  lime  he  had  an  appointment  at  some  public  place  in 
St.  Mary's,  where  there  were  few  or  nono  who  felt  any  interest 
in  the  occasion,  but  whore  there  were  a  number  of  persons 
round  about  the  house.  He  began  with  only  seven  or  eight 
present;  but  to  excite  the  attention  of  others,  he  raised  his  voice 
loudly  in  singing:  in  a  little  time  the  people  began  to  come  in, 
and  before  he  had  finished  his  sermon  he  had  a  respectable 
nee, 


SAMUEL    L.    STKAUGHAN.  oTl 

He  was  very  remarkable  fur  his  punctuality  in  fulfilling  his 
appointments.  Sometimes  he  had  to  leave  home  under  the 
most  discouraging  circumstances.  His  family  sick,  himself  ill 
low  health,  (lower  indeed  than  he  was  aware  of,)  his  affairs  in 
confusion,  his  churches  destitute  and  Complaining,  and  his 
spirits  deeply  depressed.  And  though,  from  these  considera- 
tions, he  often  hesitated,  doubtful  whether  it  was  his  duty  to  go 
on;  yet,  in  almost  every  instance,  he  pressed  through  these 
difficulties,  and  often  returned,  solemnly  impressed  with  the 
belief,  that  God  had  guided  his  course.  Once  he  left  home 
when  several  of  his  family  were  sick,  and  with  many  fears  that 
he  should  not  find  them  all  alive  on  his  return.  He  ventured, 
however,  to  go  on,  and  had  a  prosperous  journ  ey;  and  on  his  re- 
turn, found  his  family  almost  well,  while  several  of  his  neigh  - 
bers  had  sickened  and  died  in  his  absence.  This  melted  him 
into  humble  and  grateful  acknowledgments  to  God. 

His  frequent  indispositions  hindered  him  from  being  as  regu- 
lar in  attending  to  the  mission,  as  his  pious  and  active  spirit 
would  have  prompted  him  to  be.  In  1819,  he  was  compelled 
to  withdraw  for  a  considerable  time;  but  in  November  of  that 
year  he  ventured  to  go  again;  and  on  his  way  he  makes  the 
following  remark  in  his  journal:  "During  this  day  I  had  some 
pleasant  exercises  of  mind,  in  reflecting  upon  the  privileges  of 
returning  to  the  missionary  ground  in  Maryland,  having  been 
laid  aside  for  about  six  months.  O  for  a  heart  to  trust  and 
praise  God! — and  may  the  angel  of  his  covenant  go  with  me, 
and  give  testimony  to  the  word  of  his  grace."  In  conserpjence 
of  his  long  absence,  he  made  his  journal  much  longer  than 
usual;  and  at  the  close,  he  inserts  the  following  pious  reflections: 
"O  how  much  love  and  praise  do  I  owe  to  God  for  all  his  good- 
ness towards  me! — for  health  and  good  weather,  during  this 
long  trip. 

'O  to  grace,  how  great  a  debtor, 
Daily  I'm  constrained  to  be!' 

I  have  been  enabled  to  have  fifteen  meetings  for  the  last  four- 


372  BIOGKAPHY     OF 

teen  days,  and  have  filled  them  up  with  much  comfort  to  my- 
self, and  I  hope,  with  advantage  to  many  others.'' 

In  the  beginning  of  1820,  his  health  was  apparently  much 
better,  and  great  hopes  were  entertained  by  himself  and  his 
friends,  that  his  pulmonary  symptoms  would  entirely  subside: 
in  consequence  of  which,  he  ventured  to  extend  his  labors,  es- 
pecially in  his  missionary  field.  He  made  one  tour  to  Mary- 
land in  March,  and  left  appointments  for  another  in  May;  while 
the  intermediate  space  was  almost  entirely  filled  up  with  ap- 
pointments in  Virginia.  Having,  about  this  time,  much  of  the 
spirit  of  preaching,  he  was  peculiarly  animated,  and  extended 
his  sermons  to  an  unusual  length,  often  preaching,  with  labo- 
rious exertion,  for  more  than  two  hours. 

These  unremitted  labors,  added  to  his  exposure,  in  many  in- 
stances, to  unwholesome  weather,  appear  to  have  brought  on  his 
pulmonary  affections  with  double  violence.  A  distressing 
hoarseness  seized  him  early  in  April;  but  he  thought  it  no  more 
than  a  common  cold,  and  continued  his  labors,  though  often 
quite  feverish.  His  towering  soul  was  reluctant  to  be  put 
back.  His  spirit  was  willing,  though  he  felt  his  flesh  weak  and 
still  weakening.  He  was  willing  to  be  spent  in  his  Master's 
cause,  and  so  indeed  it  turned  out.  While  on  his  missionary 
tour  in  May,  he  was  enabled,  for  a  while,  to  go  through  his 
labors  without  much  inconvenience  to  himself,  and  with  great 
satisfaction  to  his  congregations;  but,  after  a  few  days,  he  be- 
gan to  fail,  and  every  day  found  his  disorder  increasing  upon 
him.  He  still,  however,  pursued  his  appointments,  though 
sometimes  obliged  to  cut  short  in  the  midst  of  his  discourse. 

At  last,  on  the  30th  May,  about  a  fortnight  from  the  time  he 
left  home,  he  was  finally  arrested  at  Nanjemoy  meeting-house> 
Charles  county,  Maryland.  He  began  to  preach,  but  after  a 
few  minutes,  he  was  constrained  to  close,  and  to  close  indeed 
forever,  as  to  his  public  ministry.  From  the  force  of  his  dis- 
order, added  to  unseasonable  weather,  he  could  not  attempt  to 
travel  homewards  for  some  days.     He  reached  home,  however, 


SAMUEL    L.    STRAUGHAN.  373 

on  the  6th  of  June,  and  was,  from  that  time,  almost  wholly 
confined  to  his  house,  until  his  death. 

Shortly  after  reaching  home,  he  sent  for  medical  aid.  Phy- 
sicians of  the  highest  reputation,  in  the  adjacent  counties,  gen- 
erously  attended  him,  and  continued  to  do  so,  while  there  re- 
mained any  hope  of  his  recovery.  But,  alas!  what  avails  the 
most  exquisite  skill  of  the  most  eminent  physicians,  when  God 
has  determined  to  cut  the  thread  of  life!  He  had  a  fixed  con- 
sumption, and  no  medical  art  could  reach  his  case.  With  some 
temporary  revivals  in  his  feelings,  his  disorder,  as  usual  in  that 
case,  grew  worse  and  worse,  until  his  death. 

It  is  desirable  to  be  made  acquainted  with  the  spiritual  and 
religious  exercises  of  a  man  so  eminent  for  piety  and  useful- 
ness, at  the  awful  crisis  when  earthly  hope  was  flying  fast 
away.  At  this  trying  season,  he  seems  to  have  shone  with 
more  than  usual  lustre.  Shortly  after  reaching  home,  he  con- 
cluded that  he  should  never  recover,  but  seemed  to  feel  very 
little  concern  on  that  account.  He  would  say,  there  were  two 
considerations  which  made  him  willing  to  live  longer — his 
churches  and  his  family.  On  the  other  hand,  there  were  con- 
siderations of  some  weight,  which  prevented  him  from  any 
anxiety  to  live.  He  said  it  had  been  his  unvarying  wish,  in- 
deed his  earnest  prayer,  that  God  would  rather  take  him  out 
of  the  world,  than  suffer  him  to  disgrace  his  cause,  or  become 
a  stumbling  block  in  the  way  of  religion:  that  many,  who  were 
apparently  worthy  characters,  in  the  early  stage  of  their  pro- 
gress, had,  in  the  decline  of  life,  fallen  into  sins  and  follies,  by 
which  their  own  names  and  their  Master's  cause,  had  been 
much  injured:  that  God  had  thus  far  preserved  him  from  any 
material  downfall;  and  as  he  was  about  to  finish  his  course,  he 
viewed  it  as  a  great  mercy,  that  he  should  die  without  bringing 
any  serious  reproach  upon  so  good  a  cause. 

During  the  last  week  of  his  illness,  he  had  some  very  heav- 
enly seasons.  Finding  himself  fast  approaching  his  dissolu- 
tion, he  said,  at  one  time,  with  much  feeling — "Farewell,  sin 
32* 


874  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

and  sorrow!''     At  another — "O  death!  where  is  thy  sting?     O 
grave!  where  is  thy  victory?''     And  again — 

"I  cannot,  I  cannot  forbear 

These  passionate  longings  for  home." 

When  told  by  a  friend  that  he  was  going,  he  said — "Bless- 
ed be  God!  Glory  to  his  holy  name!" — and  then  took  another 
farewell  of  his  family  and  all  present. 

On  the  day  of  his  death,  Mr.  Dannaway,  one  of  his  particu- 
lar friends,  came  to  see  him,  and  began  to  apologise  for  not 
having  come  according  to  promise,  some  days  sooner.  He 
replied,  that  the  Lord  had  ordered  the  matter:  that  he  had 
come  at  the  right  time;  he  would  now  see  him  die.  He  then 
requested  his  friend  to  shave  him,  and  put  on  his  shrouding 
clothes,  which  he  had  had  prepared  some  time  before.  Mr.  D. 
replied,  he  would  do  that  in  the  morning.  "Ah,  said  he,  I 
shall  be  in  glory  before  morning." 

He  continued  to  converse  until  a  little  after  sun-set,  and  was 
composed  during  family  worship.  Shortly  afterwards,  he  be- 
came speechless;  and  about  2  o'clock  on  Saturday  morning, 
the  9th  of  June,  1621,  he  expired! — 

"The  feeble  taper,  glimmering  round  the  room, 
Display'd  the  corpse  amidst  the  solemn  gloom; 
But  o'er  the  scene  a  holy  calm  repos'd, 
The  door  of  heav'n  had  open'd  there,  and  clos'd." 

Thus  died  this  man  of  God,  in  the  very  zenith  of  his  age, 
being  not  quite  thirty-eight  years  old.  While  pausing  at  this 
solemn  event,  a  question  presents  itself  to  our  minds — "Why 
should  such  a  man  be  allowed  so  short  a  course?"  Ah!  but 
this  is  not  for  mortals  to  know.  The  solution  of  such  a  ques- 
tion, lies  among  the  unsearchable  counsels  of  the  all-wise  God; 
the  abyss  of  whose  providence  is 

"Too  deep  to  sound  with  mortal  line, 
Too  dark  to  view  with  feeble  sense." 

It  is  singular,  that  the  section  of  country  in  which  Mr. 
Straughan  lived  and  labored,  has  twice  experienced  nearly  the 
same  afflicting  scenes.     The  Baptist  churches  there,  were  al- 


SAMUEL    L.    STRAUGHAN.  376 

most  all  planted  and  built  up  under  the  labors  of  the  excellent 
Lunsford,  who  was,  in  his  day,  one  of  the  most  burning  and 
shining  lights  ever  known  in  that  part  of  the  country,  or  per- 
haps any  where  else.  He,  after  running  a  short,  though  glo- 
rious race,  died  at  about  forty  years  of  age.  After  a  lapse  of 
about  ten  years,  Samuel  L.  Straughan  was  raised  up,  and  be- 
came a  shepherd  to  Lunsford's  scattered  flock;  and  was  instru- 
mental in  filling  their  thinned  ranks  with  many  new  converts. 
He  became  as  eminent  and  as  useful  as  his  predecessor;  and,  as 
if  the  Lord  would  teach  us,  by  painful  lessons,  that  all  our 
help  is  in  him,  Straughan  also  died,  and  at  an  earlier  period 
than  did  Lunsford. 

The  writer  has  ventured  to  say,  that  "Straughan  became  as 
eminent  and  as  useful  as  Lunsford;"  and  he  feels  justified  in 
the  assertion;  although  some,  perhaps,  may  think  otherwise. 
He  was  intimately  acquainted  with  both,  and  conceives  them 
both  to  have  been  of  the  first  grade  of  good  and  great  men  of 
God;  very  different  indeed  in  their  tempers  and  talents;  yet 
both  pre-eminently  pious  and  signally  useful  in  their  Master's 
cause.  In  temper,  Lunsford  was  bold,  energetic,  and  fearless 
of  man;  so  persevering,  that  nothing  could  appal  him — so  de- 
termined and  courageous,  that  nothing  could  deter  him.  He 
kept  his  eye  fixed  with  steadiness  on  his  object,  and  marched 
directly  to  it.     He  had  a  lion's  heart. 

Straughan  was  a  lamb;  a  lamb  indeed  of  the  mildest  kind. 
He  was  calm,  meek,  mild,  forbearing,  and  forgiving.  He  loved 
his  fallen  fellow-men,  and  was  willing  to  weep  over  them,  to 
persuade  them;  indeed,  to  spend  and  be  spent,  to  live  and  die 
for  them.  He  was  by  no  means  deficient  in  spiritual  courage; 
but  his  disposition  led  him  to  win  by  gentleness,  rather  than  to 
conquer  by  power.  Nor  was  Lunsford  by  any  means  destitute 
of  meekness;  but  his  majestic  spirit  rose  so  conspicuously,  as 
to  draw  off  the  observer's  attention  from  his  other  excellent 
qualities.  Lunsford's  feelings  prompted  him  to  command  all 
men,  every  where,  to  repent; — Straughan's,  to  pray  them,  in 
Christ's  stead,  to  be  reconciled  to  God.     Each  had  much  of 


376  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

the  divine  image;  each  had  beheld,  as  in  a  glass,  the  glory  of 
the  Lord,  and  was  changed  into  the  same  image:  but  the  fea- 
tures of  their  Master  seemed  to  have  been  differently  im- 
pressed on  each.  Lunsford  imbibed  much  of  his  Saviour's 
sublimity;  Straughan,  much  of  his  simplicity.  Lunsford  was 
cheerful  without  levity;  Straughan  was  grave  without  stern- 
ness. Lunsford  excited  most  admiration;  Straughan,  most 
affection.  Lunsford,  more  free  and  open,  ate  and  drank  with 
sinners,  though  without  subjecting  himself  to  reproach. 
Straughan,  more  backward  and  reserved,  was  civil  to  all,  but 
familiar  only  with  the  friends  of  Zion.  They  were,  to  all 
that  knew  them  both,  standing  monuments  of  the  diversity  of 
gifts  arising  from  the  same  spirit,  "dividing  to  every  man 
severally  as  he  will." 

In  some  great  points,  they  were  much  alike.  Nature  had 
done  much  for  both.  In  regard  to  genius,  it  is  hard  to  say 
which  had  shared  most  largely.  They  were  both  eminent. 
Neither  had  much  advantage  from  education.  Lunsford  was 
almost  wholly  self-taught;  Straughan,  with  a  small  opportu- 
nity, had  become  a  tolerable  English  scholar.  Neither  of 
them  was  inattentive  to  the  means  for  improvement  in  useful 
knowledge.  Lunsford  read  more  extensively,  and  took  a 
wider  survey  of  the  field  of  divinity;  Straughan  confined  him- 
self more  to  the  bible,  and  was,  in  deed  and  truth,  "mighty  in 
the  scriptures."  They  were  both  diligent,  laborious,  perse- 
vering, warm,  heart-searching,  and  successful  preachers. 

To  be  more  particular  in  characterising  Mr.  Straughan,  we 
may  venture  to  say,  that  we  have  never  known,  in  any  instance, 
his  superior,  either  as  a  pious  man,  or  an  evangelical  minister. 
One  of  his  own  members  says  of  him — "In  every  relation  of 
life,  he  was  the  greatest  pattern  of  piety  I  have  ever  seen." 
We  may  add,  he  was,  in  our  estimation,  one  of  the  most 
faithful  and  exemplary  ministers  of  the  gospel  we  have  ever 
known. 

As  to  talents,  it  is  hard  to  say  in  what  grade  we  should 
place  him.    Certainly,  in  the  pulpit,  he  was,  in  matter,  inferior 


SAMUEL    L.    STRAUGHAN.  377 

to  none.  In  the  arrangement  of  his  subjects,  or  in  his  manner, 
he  was  not  to  all  the  most  acceptable;  but  with  those  who 
heard  him  most  frequently,  none  stood  higher,  even  in  this 
particular.  His  voice  was  remarkably  sonorous,  and  rather 
pleasant  than  otherwise.  His  style  was  often  elegant,  always 
nervous  and  strong,  never  low  nor  disgusting.  His  address 
was  simple,  sincere,  and  exceedingly  animated.  His  counte- 
nance was  prepossessing  to  a  very  high  degree;  perhaps  none 
more  so.  In  a  word,  it  may  be  said,  that  he  spoke  as  one 
having  authority;  and  by  his  forcible  manifestation  of  the 
truth,  commended  himself  to  every  man's  conscience  in  the 
sight  of  God. 

In  his  manner  and  style,  there  were,  nevertheless,  some  de- 
ficiencies. His  articulation  was  too  rapid,  especially  in  the 
early  part  of  his  ministry;  and  in  the  arrangement  of  his  mat- 
ter, he  was  not  perhaps,  sufficiently  methodical  to  be  entirely 
perspicuous.  He  said  nothing  but  what  was  good,  generally 
most  excellent;  yet  his  truths  were  sometimes  so  intermixed, 
as  to  lose,  in  some  degree,  their  bearing  and  connexion. 

His  countenance,  while  in  the  pulpit,  was  in  the  highest  de- 
gree expressive  of  unaffected  devotion  to  God,  and  holy  affection 
for  man.  His  countenance  indeed,  every  where,  spoke  much 
for  him.  His  action,  though  not  exactly  conformable  to  rhe- 
torical rules,  was  rather  agreeable  and  becoming,  than  other- 
wise; never  strained,  never  affected.  His  discourses  were 
more  remarkable  for  argument  and  scripture  illustrations,  than 
for  oratory  or  eloquence;  yet,  doubtless,  he  was  sometimes  tru- 
ly eloquent:  and,  what  gave  it  more  weight,  was,  that  it  was 
obvious,  eloquence  was  not  his  aim.  He  seemed  to  rise  imper- 
ceptibly to  himself;  and,  animated  with  celestial  fire,  he  mount- 
ed, as  on  the  wings  of  an  eagle,  or  rather  of  an  angel,  and  nev- 
er failed  to  carry  his  audience  with  him.  On  such  occasions, 
he  often  excited  the  astonishment  of  his  hearers,  by  the  sub- 
limity of  his  style;  a  style  which  the  most  learned  might  glad- 
ly imitate.  In  his  doctrine,  he  was  clearly  and  plainly  evan~ 
gelical.     He  might  be  termed  a  moderate  Calvinist. 


378  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

His  manners  in  private  life,  were  certainly  pleasant  and  en- 
gaging in  a  high  degree,  especially  in  small  circles.  He  was 
at  times  rather  inclined  to  taciturnity;  but  when  he  fell  into 
such  company  as  seemed  to  furnish  him  an  opportunity  of  do- 
ing good,  or  of  affording  pleasure  to  others,  few  men  excelled 
him  in  edifying  and  agreeable  conversation.  He  was  particu- 
larly pleasant  as  a  travelling  companion.  A  leading  member 
of  his  church,  who  frequently  travelled  with  him  on  long  jour- 
neys, has  often  said — "The  better  you  know  him,  the  better 
you  will  like  him.''  That  character  seems  to  have  a  fair 
claim  for  goodness,  which  grows  in  our  estimation,  as  our  ac- 
quaintance increases. 

With  these  admirable  traits  of  character,  Mr.  Straughan 
was  one  of  the  most  modest,  unassuming  men  that  ever  lived. 
He  literally  esteemed  others  better  than  himself;  was  always 
ready  to  take  the  lowest  seat;  and,  when  invited  to  go  up  high- 
er, ever  seemed  reluctant  to  do  so. 

In  the  several  relations  of  social  life,  he  acted  the  most 
exemplary  and  spotless  part.  As  husband  and  father,  master, 
friend,  and  neighbor,  he  pursued  his  various  duties  with  unde- 
viating  attention.  His  labors,  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  were 
considered  paramount  to  every  other  duty;  but  when  these  did 
not  demand  his  attention,  he  was  as  assiduous  to  the  calls  of 
domestic  life,  as  could  be  required  by  reason,  or  prompted  by 
the  most  tender  affection.  In  every  place,  and  in  every  rela- 
tion, he  still  carried  with  him  a  holy  unction,  so  that,  what- 
ever he  did,  either  in  word  or  deed,  at  home  or  abroad,  he 
did  all  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  giving  thanks  to  God 
in  all  things. 

It  is  hard  to  say  whether  his  singular  piety  shone  most 
amiably,  in  his  modesty  and  meekness,  when  lifted  by  pros- 
perity and  popular  applause:  or  in  his  patience  and  resigna- 
tion, when  brought  down  by  adversity  and  affliction.  He  had 
certainly  learned,  and  learned  well  too,  both  how  to  abound 
and  how  to  be  abased.  Too  much  can  hardly  be  said  of  his 
piety  and  godliness.    He  should  be  placed  among  the  foremost 


PEYTON   NEWMAN.  379 

i»  the  foremost  rank.  He  was,  in  the  scripture  sense  of  the 
phrase,  "a  perfect  and  upright  man.''  His  zeal,  meekness, 
and  patience,  his  temperance,  charity,  and  faith,  and  indeed 
every  Christian  grace  shone  so  brightly,  that  his  intimate 
friends  could  not  agree  which  of  them  was  most  conspicuous. 
After  all,  we  do  not  wish  it  to  be  understood,  that  we  con* 
sidcr  our  departed  brother,  as  one  who  had  no  spiritual  infirmi* 
ties  to  lament.  This  was  not  the  case.  He  whom  grace  had 
made  acquainted  with  himself  and  with  the  purity  of  God's 
law,  knew  his  own  defects  and  mourned  over  them.  He  la» 
mented  his  infirmities,  and  looked  for  deliverance  to  that  state 
which  he  has  now  attained — the  state  of  "the  spirits  of  just 
men  made  perfect.''  May  all  who  read  these  memoirs,  be 
excited  to  zeal  and  perseverance,  in  running  with  patience  the 
race  that  is  set  before  them. 


PEYTON     NEWMAN 


I'm:  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  of  Irish  parents,  Dec. 
34th,  1760.  He  enjoyed  none  of  those  advantages  of  educa* 
tion  which  have  advanced  men  of  inferior  minds  to  places  of 
distinction  in  the  literary  world.  In  early  life  he  was  addicted 
to  occasional  gambling,  and  participated,  though  to  a  limited 
e.\tent,  in  the  train  of  vices  which  are  almost  invariably  the 
attendants  of  that  highly  pernicious  habit. 

From  Henry,  he  removed  to  Stokes  County,  N.  C,  where 
he  was  awakened  under  the  preaching  of  Emanuel  Hill,  and 
subsequently  became  a  member  of  Clearspring  church.  But 
tittle  appears  now  to  be  known  of  his  ministry,  Until  after  his 
removal,  in  180G,  to  Big  Sandy  river,  Kanawha,  now  Cabell 
county.  In  the  vicinity  of  his  hew  residence,  he  continued 
nil  ministerial  labors,  n©t  only  with  acceptance,  but  with  profit. 

*«y  Kliici-  William  C.  Mgoa. 


380  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

The  time  of  his  ordination  does  not  appear  to  be  known,  but 
it  was  sometime  previous  to  the  year  1814,  and  was  conduct- 
ed by  Elders  John  Alderson,  George  Guthery,  and  John  Young. 
He  was  the  stated  pastor  of  Big  Sandy  church,  which  was 
probably  brought  into  existence  through  his  instrumentality. 
When  the  convention  met  to  form  the  Teay's  Valley  Associa- 
tion, Elder  Newman  was  reported  as  one  of  the  delegation, 
from  Big  Sandy  church.  His  labors  appear  to  have  been  con- 
fined within  the  limits  of  that  association  until  August,  1822, 
at  which  time,  it  is  confidently  believed  by  those  who  knew 
him  best,  he  died  the  death  of  the  righteous.  Although  the 
materials  which  can  now  be  collected,  to  form  a  history  of  the 
life  and  labors  of  Elder  Newman,  furnish  but  little  in  detail, 
much  may  be  collected  to  justify  our  saying  of  him,  as  Luke 
said  of  Barnabas,  "He  was  a  good  man." 


RICHARD     OABBS 


The  name  of  Richard  Dabbs  has  been  very  extensively 
and  favorably  known  throughout  Virginia  and  North  Carolina, 
as  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  He  became  pious  in  early  life, 
but  did  not  enter  the  ministry  until  several  years  after  his  con- 
version. He  was  among  the  number  who  formed  Ash  Camp 
church,  Charlotte  county,  at  its  constitution  in  1803.  When 
their  pastor,  Elder  Henry  Lester,  removed  to  the  west  in  1808, 
they  procured  his  services,  and  were  by  him  regularly  sup- 
plied for  some  lime.  The  churches  also  of  Mossingford  and 
Staunton  river  enjoyed  for  many  years  his  ministerial  labors. 
In  these  various  stations  he  was,  to  some  considerable  ex- 
tent, useful. 

It  was  not  in  the  performance  of  pastoral  duties,  that  he 
was  thought  to  excel.  It  is  true  his  views  of  church  disci- 
pline were  scriptural,  for  in  a  circular  letter  prepared  by  him 
for  the  Appamattox  Association,  he  makes  many  judicious  ob- 


RICHARD    DABB9.  381 

servations  on  that  subject.  But  his  sentiments  were  not  wholly 
carried  into  practice  under  his  administration.  When  he  re- 
signed the  care  of  his  churches  for  the  purpose  of  removing 
to  the  west,  he  left  them  in  a  very  enfeebled  state.  They  had 
been  trained  to  little  or  no  systematic  exertion  to  extend  the 
influence  of  truth  and  righteousness;  and  consequently  they 
were  an  inactive  and  inefficient  people.  But  this  is  not  all; — 
under  the  influence  of  a  lax  discipline,  many  disorders  were 
allowed  to  exist,  which  materially  injured  the  cause  of  Christ. 
Their  pastor  was  not  in  the  habit  of  watching  over  them  with 
the  determination  to  correct  abuses  and  impartially  to  pre- 
serve purity  of  Christian  character.  This  was,  perhaps,  one 
of  Elder  Dabbs'  most  prominent  defects.  It  lessened  his  in- 
fluence and  usefulness  in  his  own  immediate  neighborhood. 
No  pastor  can,  to  any  extent,  be  successful,  who  does  not  deter- 
mine that  a  rigid, wholesome  discipline  be  maintained  in  the 
church.  So  varied  are  the  dispositions  of  those  who  name 
the  name  of  Christ,  and  so  numerous  the  temptations  to  which 
they  are  exposed,  that  the  utmost  vigilance,  firmness,  and  dis- 
cretion will  be  required  in  one  who  presides  over  them  as 
their  spiritual  shepherd. 

While  Elder  Dabbs  did  not  possess,  in  eminent  measure,  the 
requisites  of  a  skilful  pastor,  it  ought  in  justice  to  be  stated, 
that  it  was  in  all  probability  the  result  of  peculiar  devotion  to 
itinerant  labor.  He  was  not  an  indolent  man,  nor  was  he  ab- 
sorbed in  secular  pursuits.  He  consecrated  his  undivided  time 
and  energies  to  the  ministry.  Had  he  remained  at  home 
among  his  own  people,  and  given  himself  wholly  to  the  duties 
of  the  pastoral  vocation,  and  had  his  mind  been  relieved  from 
the  care  of  maintaining  his  family,  it  is  probable  he  would 
have  excelled  in  this  department  of  usefulness. 

As  already  hinted,  Mr.  Dabbs  was  much  devoted  to  the 
work  of  an  itinerant.  He  delighted  to  visit  associational  and 
other  large  meetings  of  his  brethren  in  Christ;  and  when 
among  them,  contributed  not  a  little  to  their  edification  and 
comfort.  His  excursions  were  verv  numerous  and  extensive. 
33 


3S2 


BIOGRAPHY    OF 


And  while  abroad,  his  time  was  well  occupied.  He  scarcely 
ever  travelled  without  preaching  at  least  once  every  day.  He 
was  in  the  habit  too,  of  visiting  those  parts  of  the  country 
where  Baptist  churches  had  not  been  constituted,  or  where 
they  were  feeble  and  declining.  Thus  portions  of  the  truth 
which  seldom  fell  upon  the  ear  of  the  people,  were  faithfully 
dispensed  and  frequently  with  good  effect. 

Among  the  happy  results  of  these  efforts  may  be  mentioned,, 
the  origin  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Petersburg.  It  was  mostly 
through  his  influence  that  the  few  Baptists  in  that  place  were  in- 
duced to  unite  under  a  regular  constitution,  and  to  make  exer- 
tions for  the  erection  of  a  house  of  worship.  He  consented  regu- 
larly to  supply  them  as  their  pastor,  though  he  did  not  long  con- 
tinue to  serve  them.  He  was  for  some  time  engaged  in  collecting 
funds  for  the  meeting  house,  and  was,  to  a  considerable  extent, 
successful.  About  this  time  also  he  accepted  the  invitation  of 
the  Portsmouth  Missionary  Society,  to  labor  as  their  missionary 
within  the  limits  of  the  Portsmouth  Association. 

During  the  year  1820,  he  was  employed  one-fourth  of  his 
time  in  assisting  to  supply  with  preaching  the  church  in 
Lynchburg.  His  ministry  there  was  very  popular,  although 
it  is  not  known  that  many,  through  his  instrumentality,  were 
added  to  the  church.  He  did  not  remain  sufficiently  long 
to  accomplish  any  permanent  good.  It  has  already  been  re- 
marked that  he  was  fond  of  itinerating,  and  there  is  reason  to 
believe,  while  he  accomplished  much  good  in  this  way,  he  was 
less  useful  in  those  places  where  he  engaged  regularly  to 
labor.  The  apparent  instability  of  his  character  prevent  !, 
on  the  part  of  his  brethren,  that  confidence  and  co-operation 
which  are  essential  to  ministerial  success. 

Elder  Dabbs'  views  of  truth  were  consonant  with  those  of 
the  great  body  of  the  denomination.  In  his  pulpit  exhibitions 
he  manifested  a  peculiar  partiality  for  what  has  been  called 
the  spiritualizing  system,  frequently  selecting  as  the  basis  of 
his  discourses,  some  passage  from  the  Songs  of  Solomon.  Al- 
though he  often  displayed  much  tact  and    ingenuity,  there  is 


RICI1AKD    DAUBS.  383 

reason  to  apprehend  that  in  those  allegorical  disquisitions,  there 
was  more  of  the  showy  and  curious,  than  solid  and  useful. 
While  the  wonder  and  admiration  of  an  auditory  may  be 
excited  at  these  specimens  of  skill  in  rinding  a  spiritual  mean- 
ing to  every  fact  and  incident  in  the  sacred  history,  much 
serious  injury  may  be  tlie  ultimate  result.  It  tends  to  pro- 
duce the  impression,  that  the  bible  is  a  book  of  riddles,  and  in 
surveying  its  pages  the  simple  obvious  meaning  is  liable  to  be 
overlooked,  while  something  mysterious  is  made  the  object  ol 
anxious  search. 

It  must  not  be  understood  from  these  observations,  that  the 
subject  of  this  memoir  preached  no  other  than  metaphorical 
sermons,  or  that  he  condescended  to  all  the  ridiculous  absur- 
dities which  have  characterizedsome  preachers  of  this  stamp. 
On  the  contrary,  it  may  be  said  in  truth,  that  many  of  his 
public  addresses  were  clear  and  faithful  exhibitions  of  gospel 
truth.  It  ought  also  to  be  stated  that  his  manner  in  the  pul- 
pit was  exceedingly  fascinating.  With  a  musical  voice  and 
happy  faculty  of  illustration,  he  rarely,  if  ever,  addressed  a 
listless  congregation. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  traits  of  Elder  Dabbs'  charac- 
ter was  his  concern  to  be  useful  to  those  around  him.  He  did 
not  often  neglect  an  opportunity  of  conversing  with  the  un- 
converted in  the  social  circle.  He  would  sometimes  relate 
an  appropriate  anecdote  or  repeat  a  solemn  passage  of  scrip- 
ture and  close  his  remarks  by  an  affectionate  exhortation. 
In  these  personal  appeals  he  was  remarkably  felicitous  in  the 
selection  of  suitable  seasons  and  topics  of  remark.  Often 
having  addressed  a  word  of  warning  or  invitation  to  a  careless 
friend,  he  would  sing  some  suitable  hymn,  which,  in  connexion 
with  the  conversation,  would  produce  the  most  solemn  effect. 
Many  now  living  can  bear  testimony  to  the  happy  influence  of 
these  appeals.  This  is  one  method  by  which  a  minister  may 
be  exceedingly  useful.  In  his  daily  intercourse  with  men, 
numerous  opportunities  are  furnished  for  the  recommendations 
of  the  truth  of  God.     While  in  public,  Christ  and    him  cruci- 


394  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

fied,  are  to  be  preached  and  all  the  doctrines  and  precepts  of 
the  bible  enforced,  and  while  in  these,  the  appropriate  duties 
of  the  ministry  success  may  be  expected,  there  is  also  an  in- 
viting field  of  action  opened  in  the  social  circle.  Here  an 
acquaintance  with  individual  character  may  be  obtained.  An 
ascertainment  of  peculiar  disposition  and  habit  may  be  made. 
Honest  objection  may  be  satisfactorily  answered,  while  the 
caviling  of  the   presumptuous  sinner  may  be  met  and  resisted. 

Perhaps  in  no  other  department  of  his  vocation  should  the 
Christian  minister  more  constantly  study  to  show  himself  ap- 
proved. The  colloquial  powers  should  be  cultivated.  In  all 
attempts  at  the  special  enforcement  of  religious  truth,  an  affec- 
tionate spirit  and  manner  should  be  maintained.  It  will  re- 
quire also  much  practical  wisdom,  in  the  selection  of  suitable 
times  and  circumstances  for  engaging  in  this  work. 

It  has  been  thought  by  some,  that  Elder  Dabbs  manifested 
too  much  disposition  to  make  proselytes  to  the  denomination 
with  which  he  was  connected.  But  it  is  questionable  whether 
this  opinion  had  any  foundation  in  fact.  If  a  Baptist  minister 
is  more  solicitous  to  convert  a  Pedobaptist  to  his  own  practice 
than  to  bring  a  sinner  to  Christ,  he  unquestionably  acts  below  the 
dignity  of  his  character  and  office.  But  while  his  great  busi- 
ness consists  in  leading  men  to  God,  it  is  his  imperative  duty 
to  teach  converts  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  Christ  has 
commanded.  He  ought  to  be  desirous  that  the  ordinance  of 
baptism,  as  taught  and  practised  in  primitive  times,  should  be 
observed  by  every  believer.  While  it  would  be  unwise  to  re- 
fer to  this  subject  in  every  discourse,  he  should  be  careful  to 
allow  it  a  due  proportion  in  his  public  ministration.  This 
he  should  do,  regardless  of  the  frowns  or  derisions  of  those 
around  him.  The  same  may  be  said  in  regard  to  any  neglect- 
ed duty.  As  Elder  Dabbs  extended  his  labors  over  a  wide 
surface  of  country,  and  frequently  addressed  his  brethren  of 
other  denominations,  he  did  not  hesitate  faithfully  and  affec- 
tionately to  warn  them  against  the  sin  of  neglecting  a  positive 
and  significant  institution  of  their  Lord    and  Master.     Nor 


RICHARD    DAUBS.  385 

were  his  efforts  in  this  respect  vain.  He  had  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  many  yield  obedience  to  a  long  neglected  command. 
It  is  to  be  regretted  that  there  was  so  much  looseness  in  ad- 
mitting persons  to  baptism.  Wherever  he  could  find  a  person 
ready  to  be  baptized,  even  though  in  the  vicinity  of  a  Baptist 
church,  he  would  perform  the  ordinance,  and  leave  the  indi- 
vidual either  to  remain  in  a  Pedobaptist  church,  or  in  the 
world.     This  practice  was  undoubtedly  wrong. 

It  would  not  be  improper  here  to  introduce  a  brief  reference 
to  this  servant  of  Christ,  from  Mr.  Semple's  history.  "Since 
he  commenced  the  ministry,''  says  the  historian,  "few  persons 
have  risen  into  notice  as  rapidly  as  he.  And,  at  present,  in 
point  of  popularity,  as  a  preacher,  certainly  none  in  those  parts 
surpass  him,  if  any  can  be  said  to  equal  him.  He  is  surely 
the  most  indefatigable  of  preachers.  He  travels  almost  in- 
cessantly; and  is  thought  by  some  of  his  intimate  friends,  for 
some  years  pas',  to  have  preached  more  sermons  than  there 
are  days  in  the  year.  He  does  not  preach  in  vain.  There  are 
seals  to  his  ministry  wherever  he  goes.  His  talents  do  not 
consist  in  deep  investigation,  or  close  reasoning;  not  in  full  and 
fair  explanations  of  mysterious  texts  of  scripture,  or  of  abstruse 
points  of  divinity.  He  says  clever  things,  and  he  says  them  in 
a  winning  manner.  Besides,  his  voice  is  harmonious,  his  per- 
son agreeable;  and  his  manners,  both  in  and  out  of  the  pulpit, 
affectionate  and  pleasing.  He  sings  well,  and  is  fond  of  it.  His 
exhortations  are  warm  and  pathetic.  With  all  these  advant- 
ages, it  would  not  indeed  be  strange,  if  Mr.  Dabbs'  talents 
were  somewhat  overrated  by  many.  Be  that  as  it  may.  Un- 
questionably such  gifts  as  he  really  possesses,  he  improves  to 
the  greatest  possible  advantage:  and  if  he  should  not  become 
biassed  by  excessive  popularity,  nor  be  weary  in  well  doing, 
he  will  reap  a  plenteous  harvest  in  that  day.'' 

This  harvest  there  is  reason  to  believe  he  is  now  reaping. 
Having  removed  to  Tennessee  in  the  year  1821  or  '2,  he  be- 
came the  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Nashville.  ile  was 
ill  for  many  months  before  his  death,  and  during  his  confinement 
33* 


386  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

gave  evidence  that  he  was  ready  to  bear  as  well  as  to  do  his 
Father's  will.  He  died  on  the  21st  of  May,  1825,  in  full  as- 
surance of  a  blessed  immortality. 


FRANCIS     MOORE 


It  is  a  pleasing  task  to  refer  to  the  life  of  him  whose  name 
stands  at  the  head  of  this  sketch.  He  could  not  be  said  to  be- 
long to  that  class  of  men  who  labored  as  pioneers  in  extend- 
ing the  triumphs  of  truth  and  righteousness  in  Virginia,  nor 
was  he,  strictly  speaking,  identified  with  the  present  race  of 
Virginia  Baptist  ministers.  He  was  one  of  those  endeared 
names,  who  might  be  considered  as  connecting  links  between 
the  early  fathers  of  our  state,  and  the  present  generation. 
Francis  Moore  was  the  son  of  Elder  Jeremiah  Moore,  one  of 
the  most  laborious  and  useful  preachers  of  the  17th  century. 
He  was  born  in  Fairfax  county,  Sept.  18th,  1766.  At  an 
early  age  the  grace  of  God  was  manifest  in  his  conversion; 
he  was  baptized  by  Elder  David  Thomas.  Immediately  he 
began  to  preach  a  crucified  Saviour,  and  after  a  sufficient  trial 
of  his  qualifications,  was  ordained  at  Zoar,  in  the  county  of 
Jefferson. 

On  the  8th  of  November,  1792,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
to  a  lady  of  high  respectability,  in  Montgomery  county,  Mary- 
land. After  this  event  he  removed  and  settled  permanently 
near  Harper's  Ferry,  in  the  county  of  Jefferson,  Virginia. 

In  referring  to  the  labors  of  Elder  Moore  it  may  be  stated, 
that  during  most,  of  his  ministerial  career,  he  regularly  served 
three  or  four  churches.  He  was  the  pastor  of  Pleasant  val- 
ley, in  Maryland,  and  of  another  church  in  Montgomery 
county,  of  the  same  state.  He  was  also  pastor  of  Zoar 
church,  in  Jefferson,  Virginia,  and  of  Ebenezer,  in  London 
county.  For  limited  periods,  and  at  different  times,  he  also 
supplied  other  portions  of  the  Lord's  vineyard.  Being  a  man 
of  industrious  habits,  he  applied  himself  diligently  to  the  work 


FRANCIS    MOORE.  387 

of  his  Master  botli  as  a  pastor  and  an  evangelist.  Few  men 
of  his  day  were  better  qualified  to  exercise  an  extended  in- 
fluence, and  perhaps  no  Baptist  minister  of  northern  Virginia 
was  more  universally  admired  and  beloved.  Nature  had  done 
much  for  him  in  mental  endowment,  and  bis  powers  of  mind 
had  been  improved  by  a  good  English  education. 

Of  a  social  disposition  and  agreeable  manners,  he  endeared 
himself  to  all  those  with  whom  he  became  acquainted.  In 
the  pulpit,  the  attention  of  his  hearers  was  engaged  by  sim- 
plicity and  clearness  of  style,  as  well  as  an  easy  and  persua- 
sive elocution.  His  discourses  were  usually  doctrinal,  and  in 
the  treatment  of  controverted  points  he  contended  earnestly, 
while  he  avoided  that  reckless  vituperation  by  which  too 
many  polemics  are  distinguished.  He  was  a  great  admirer  of 
Dr.  Gill,  and  considered  the  sentiments  usually  denominated 
Calvinistic,  as  clearly  taught  in  the  sacred  scriptures.  But 
his  character  had  been  shaped  in  the  gospel  mould,  and  he 
could  therefore  most  cordially  love  all  who  love  lhe  image  of 
the  Saviour,  although  in  some  particulars,  they  might  differ 
from  him  in  opinion. 

Although  he  was  removed  from  his  earthly  labors  before  a 
separation  had  taken  place  between  those  who  style  themselves 
"reformers"  and  the  Baptists,  he  frequently  expressed  the 
confident  belief  that  it  would  become  necessary.  At  a  very- 
early  period  of  Mr.  A.  Campbell's  career,  he  saw  that  there 
was  reason  to  apprehend  a  fearful  turning  away  from  the  truth. 
On  one  occasion  in  1824,  a  friend,  now  living,  heard  him  say, 
"many  of  the  Baptist  denomination  are  preparing  to  receive 
the  most  baneful  heresies,  as  Mr.  C.  has  commenced  a  crusade 
against  benevolent  operations,  and  by  the  ridicule  he" is  cast- 
ing upon  these  efforts,  he  will  induce  many  to  follow  him  upon 
that  ground,  and  having  thus  gained  their  confidence,  a  favora- 
ble opportunity  will  be  furnished  to  lead  them  into  the  most 
dangerous  errors.  He  has  commenced  a  voyage  on  the  ocean 
of  speculation  without  helm  or  compass,  and  many  will  follow 
him  to  their  sorrow.     I  think,  added  he,  there  is  a  desire  on 


3»S  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

his  part  to  be  the  inventor  of  new  things,  but  mark  it,  he  will 
revive  some  old  exploded  errors."  He  frequently  warned 
his  brethren  against  this  system,  and  urged  them  to  betake 
themselves  to  the  more  diligent  and  prayerful  perusal  of  the 
sacred  volume. 

The  cause  of  education  found  in  Mr.  Moore  a  liberal  pa- 
tron; his  contributions  were  frequently  bestowed  to  aid  in 
building  up  the  Columbian  College.  He  was  also  a  warm 
friend  of  missions.  A  sermon  preached  by  him  in  1826, 
at  Zoar,  on  the  importance  of  zealous  efforts  to  spread  the 
gospel  throughout  the  world,  will  long  be  remembered  by  many. 
He  not  only  recommended  this  good  cause  to  others,  but  was 
himself  a  frequent  contributor.  He  solemnly  believed  it  to  be 
the  purpose  of  God,  that  the  light  of  the  gospel  should  shine 
upon  the  whole  earth,  and  therefore  felt  it  his  duty  to  labor  as  an 
instrument  in  promoting  this  glorious  design.  The  following  re- 
marks on  this  subject,  from  his  pen,  will  illustrate  his  views:  he 
says:  "If  the  wicked  one  designs  some  special  mischief  to 
the  church  of  Christ,  he  adopts  means  most  likely  to  accom- 
plish his  ends.  When  ecclesiastical  establishments  will  enable 
him  to  torment  the  saints,  kings  and  emperors  must  inarch  in 
front,  inquisitions  with  fire  and  sword,  fill  up  the  train.  But 
now,  the  powers  of  darkness  may  pause.  Superstition  and 
bigotry  have  to  recede,  the  bible  is  disseminated  abroad,  the 
excellent  Carey  and  Judson,  with  their  brethren  in  the  east, 
are  holding  forth  the  word  of  life,  yea,  many  are  engaged  in 
this  noble  work;  the  bible  is  spreading  far  and  wide,  and  ere 
long  will  be  translated  into  every  tongue,  so  that  from  the  prince 
in  his  palace  to  the  Indian  in  his  wigwam,  all  may  read  as  on 
the  day  of  pentecost,  in  their  own  language,  of  the  great  sal- 
vation. What,  O!  what,  says  Satan,  must  be  done  to  pre- 
serve our  kingdom  now  in  danger.  The  answer  is  at  hand. 
If  possible  establish  a  union  between  the  church  of  Christ  and 
the  world;  this  produced  wonders  when  effected  by  force  of 
arms;  how  much  more  will  it  advance  the  views  of  his  satanic 
majesty  if  it  can  only  be  effected  by  common  consent.'' 


FRANCIS   MOORE.  389 

In  1827,  lie  was  one  of  the  instruments  of  originating  a 
Domestic  Mission  society  in  the  Ketocton  Association  for  the 
purpose  of  supplying  destitute  portions  of  that  region  with  the 
preached  word.  Its  constitution  was  prepared  hy  himself  and 
is  very  similar  to  that  of  the  General  Association  Auxiliary 
society,  being  entitled  to  representation  in  proportion  to  the 
amount  contributed,  and  individuals  to  a  seat  by  the  payment 
of  two  dollars. 

We  now  approach  the  hour  of  his  dismissal  from  this  world. 
On  February  15th,  1831,  the  slender  thread  of  existence  was 
suddenly  broken  by  an  attack  of  appoplexy,  which  some 
months  before  had  threatened  to  tear  him  from  his  family  and 
friends.  In  October,  1830,  he  returned  home  from  the  ordina- 
tion of  P.  Klipstene,  at  Mill  creek  church;  while  sitting  in  his 
chair  at  supper,  he  was  suddenly  seized  with  an  unusual  sensa- 
tion, under  which  he  labored  a  few  days,  accompanied  with 
great  debility;  but  was  eventually  restored  to  strength  and  use- 
fulness, and  permitted  a  little  longer  to  stand  as  on  the  margin  of 
the  tomb,  and  privileged  a  k\v  more  times  to  sound  the  gospel 
trumpet.  On  Saturday  previous  to  his  death  he  went  to  Mr. 
Robert  Classet's,  under  whose  hospitable  roof  he  had  fre- 
quently tarried  the  nights  prior  to  his  fulfilling  his  monthly 
appointment  at  Baptist  church  in  Pleasant  valley.  He  was 
during  the  evening  in  usual  health  and  spirits,  and  very  fer- 
vent in  his  devotion  at  the  family  altar,  after  which  he  retired 
to  his  room  with  two  of  the  young  Mr.  Classets.  In  the 
the  night  he  arose,  lifted  the  window  and  lowered  it  again; 
he  then  laid  down  and  in  a  few  minutes  began  to  moan  as  if 
under  great  oppression,  but  as  he  said  nothing,  nothing  was 
spoken  to  him.  Not  rising  at  his  usual  early  hour  in  the 
morning,  Mr.  Classet  went  to  inform  him  that  breakfast  was 
ready,  but  received  no  answer,  and  upon  approaching  his  bed, 
found  vitality  was  fast  retiring  from  its  citadel  and  the  organ 
of  speech  forever  untuned.  His  amiable  wife  who  was  im- 
mediately sent  for,  just  arrived  in  time  to  see  him  expire.  She 
approached  him  scarcely  noticed,  he  was  unable  even  to  whis- 


"»"  BIOGRAPHY   OF 

per  a  last  adieu.  He  remained  nearly  in  the  same  situation 
until  Tuesday  morning  about  six  o'clock,  when  his  disembod- 
ied spirit  took  its  flight  to  the  shores  of  a  blissful  immor- 
tality,  where  the  inhabitants  shall  no  more  say  I  am  sick,  and 
where  the  King  is  seen  in  his  beauty.  On  Wednesday  morn- 
ing  the  15th,  his  remains,  accompanied  by  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren, and  sorrowing  friends,  were  conveyed  to  Virginia,  and 
deposited  in  the  silent  tomb. 


JACOB    GREGG, 

His  name  is  familiar  to  many  Baptists  in  North  America, 
and  especially  to  the  churches  of  Virginia.  He  was  an  Eng- 
lishman by  birth,  and  continued  in  his  native  land  until  he  had 
risen  to  manhood.  When  very  young,  he  professed  religion, 
by  uniting  with  a  Baptist  church,  and  soon  commenced  the 
ministry.  After  he  began  to  preach,  he  was  induced  to  enter 
the  Bristol  Baptist  Academy,  and  there  prosecuted  a  limited 
course  of  study.  Very  soon  after  he  left  the  institution,  he  re- 
ceived an  appointment  from  some  society,  as  a  missionary  to 
Sierra  Leone,  on  the  coast  of  Africa.  This  station  he  did  not 
long  retain;  for  having  some  misunderstanding  with  the  gov- 
ernor of  the  colony,  he  determined  to  settle  in  America. 

Having  arrived  at  Norfolk,  he  served,  at  different  times, 
the  church  in  that  borough,  and  the  churches  of  Portsmouth 
and  Upper  bridge.  While  in  that  region,  he  married  a  Miss 
Goodwin.  In  a  few  years  lie  removed  to  Kentucky,  and  be- 
came the  pastor  of  a  flourishing  Baptist  church.  But  this 
state  he  soon  left,  and  visited  Ohio;  there  remaining  but  for  a 
short  period.  In  1803  or '9,  he  returned  to  Virginia,  on  a  visit 
to  his  wife's  parents,  who  were  residing  in  Richmond.  At 
their  earnest  solicitude,  he  consented  to  remain  in  Richmond, 
and  open  a  school,  which  he  conducted  for  several  years.  Dur- 
ing this  period,  he  was  generally  employed  in  preaching,  either 


JACOH    GREGG.  391 

in  the  vicinity  of  the  city,  or  for  the  first  church,  then  under 
'lie  pastoral  care  of  Elder  John  Courtney.  In  the  capacity  of 
a  teacher,  lie  was  highly  approved,  having  a  large  number  of 
youth  under  his  direction.  His  acquaintance  with  the  Latin 
tnd  (Jrcek  was  not  very  thorough;  but  he  was  considered  an 
excellent  scholar  in  all  the  branches  of  English  literature.  His 
readiness  in  communicating  instruction,  and  the  aptness  of  his 
illustrations,  rendered  him  exceedingly  popular  with  the  young. 
During  his  resi  lence  in  Richmond,  it  became  apparent  to 
his  intimate  friends  and  brethren,  much  to  their  grief,  that  he 
was  in  the  habit  of  using  too  freely  the  intoxicating  draught. 
How  mournful  the  fact,  that,  with  his  capacity  for  usefulness 
in  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  the  best  of  his  life  should  have  been 
yielded  to  the  gratification  of  this  vile  appetite.  When  by 
some  of  his  brethren  his  fault  was  faithfully  exposed  to  his 
view,  he  confessed  his  guilt,  seemed  deeply  penitent,  and  pro- 
mised amendment.  As,  however,  he  did  not  utterly  abandon 
the  use  of  spirituous  liquors,  he  was  aftewards,  in  several  in- 
stances, overtaken  by  the  same  vice.  In  the  year  1816,  or 
'17,  he  left  Richmond,  and  remained  sometime  in  Philadelphia 
and  its  vicinity.  During  this  period  he  was  chosen  to  the 
pastoral  oversight  of  Market  street  Baptist  church,  in  Phila- 
delphia. Subsequently  he  settled  in  Virginia,  and  was  em- 
ployed  sometimes  in  the  instruction  of  youth;  but,  towards  the 
close  of  life,  mostly  in  preaching,  as  an  itinerant.  There  are 
not  many  men  whose  lives  have  been  more  subject  to  vicissi- 
tude than  his,  especially  in  regard  to  location.  As  will  ap- 
pear horn  the  rapid  survey  already  taken,  he  remained  but  a 
short  period  in  any  one  place,  and  therefore  did  not  exercise 
the  ministerial  function,  in  particular  churches,  sufficiently 
I  >og  to  create  a  permanent  influence. 

In  referring   to  the  talents  of  Elder  Gregg,  it  will  not  be  a 

departure  from   the  truth,  to  represent   him  as  possessing  ex- 

iary  powers  of  mind.     Perhaps    the   most   remarkablo 

trait  in  his  intellectual   character    was   a    tenacious    memory. 

This  formed  the  foundation  of  all  his  greatness.     While  he  re- 


392  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

membered  almost  every  thing  he  ever  read,  he  possessed  a 
peculiar  aptness  in  selecting  and  arranging,  from  his  ample 
stores  of  knowledge,  as  circumstances  might  render  neces- 
sary. As  an  evidence  of  the  retentiveness  of  his  memory, 
it  is  said,  that  while  on  the  ocean  after  he  left  his  native 
land,  he  memorised  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  with  the 
whole  of  Watts'  Psalms.  During  his  whole  future  life,  he  was 
able  to  repeat  at  pleasure  entire  chapters  and  hymns.  Very 
frequently,  in  conducting  family  worship,  instead  of  calling  for 
the  books,  or  using  them  when  brought,  he  would  commence 
and  go  through  lengthy  portions  from  the  bible,  and  line  out 
the  words  of  a  hymn  with  perfect  accuracy.  In  his  sermons 
he  sometimes  introduced  lengthy  quotations  from  the  sacred 
writings  without  referring  to  the  volume  before  him. 

His  illustrations  in  the  pulpit  were  usually  apposite  and  for- 
cible, and  his  style,  while  it  was  simple  and  chaste,  was  re- 
markable for  its  copiousness.  He  was  an  excellent  sermoniser. 
The  natural  fertility  of  his  mind,  and  his  extensive  informa- 
tion, pre-eminently  qualified  him  for  the  pulpit.  There  was 
sometimes  too  much  division  in  his  discourses,  and  perhaps  a 
disposition  to  make  portions  of  the  bible  teach  what  they  never 
intended  to  inculcate.  He  was  peculiarly  fond  of  seizing 
some  historical  incident  recorded  in  the  sacred  volume,  and 
making  it  the  basis  of  a  discourse.  At  other  times,  he  would 
indulge  in  the  spiritualising  vein,  and  with  peculiar  ingenuity, 
often  to  the  amusement  of  his  auditors,  endeavor  to  elucidate 
some  dark  and  mysterious  passage,  or  deduce  doctrinal  truth 
from  the  fragment  of  a  verse.  Vhe  writer  has  in  possession 
a  curious  skeleton  of  a  sermon  founded  on  the  clause,  "O 
wheel."  His  sermons,  however,  were  generally  judicious,  and 
highly  instructive.  While  thus  much  may  be  said  respecting 
his  talents  as  a  preacher,  he  indicated  but  little  judgment  in 
the  common  affairs  of  life.  There  was  possessed  a  small 
measure  of  what  is  usually  denominated  common  sense;  in  the 
management  of  his  own  pecuniary  and  domestic  matters,  he 
was  a  mere  child,  and    in  mingling  in   the  social   circle  there 


JACOB    DARDEN.  393 

was  seen  but  little  regard  to  the  courtesies  of  life.  He  was 
rather  awkward  in  his  address,  excepting  with  a  few  intimate 
friends,  and  then  as  a  companion  he  was  peculiarly  interest- 
ing.    His  colloquial  powers  in  such  a  circle  were  excellent. 

In  sentiment  he  was  strongly  Calvinistic.  A  superior  ser- 
mon on  predestination,  delivered  before  the  Dover  Association, 
was  at  their  request  printed.  About  the  same  period  a  circu- 
lar letter  on  the  subject  of  close  communion  was  published, 
and  excited  considerable  regard. 

For  the  last  few  years  of  his  life,  he  was  a  warm  friend  of 
the  temperance  cause,  having  himself  abstained  entirely  from 
the  use  of  ardent  spirits.  His  standing,  too,  among  his  breth- 
ren, was  entirely  regained,  although  as  a  preacher,  with 
men  generally,  he  was  far  from  being  regarded  as  in  former 
days.  How  dangerous  for  ministers  to  parley  with  tempta- 
tion. How  disastrous  the  effects  of  their  sin,  when  they  fall. 
Elder  Gregg  died  in  Sussex  county,  after  a  few  days'  illness, 
in  1836. 


JACOB    DARDEN 


Jacob  Harden,  the  eldest  son  of  Elisha  Darden,  was  born  in 
Southampton  county,  Va.,  August  24th,  1770.  In  early  life 
he  was  volatile,  but  when  arrived  at  manhood,  he  evinced  more 
steadiness  of  conduct,  and  moved  in  select  circles  of  society 
with  considerable  dignity;  but  unfortunately  imbibed  deistical 
sentiments,  which  he  continued  to  foster  until  1809.  From 
that  time  he  renounced  his  former  sentiments,  and  made  re- 
ligion the  subject  of  close  investigation.  His  convictions  were 
pungent,  the  power  of  which  he  could  not  conceal  from  his 
friends.  He  resorted  to  the  throne  of  grace  in  secret,  and 
there  confessed  his  sins  to  the  infinite  Majesty,  and  implored 
forgiveness   in  the  name  of  Jesus,  whom  he  had    persecuted. 

•  From  the  Minutes  of  the  Portsmouth  Association. 
34 


394  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

It  was  not  long  before  the  Lord  answered  his  supplications^ 
and  freed  his  soul  from  the  guilt  that  tortured  his  mind.  He 
soon  requested  admission  into  the  church  at  South  quay,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  John  Bowers. 

Soon  after,  his  mind  was  deeply  impressed  with  the  worth 
of  souls.  His  views  of  the  lost  state  of  man,  and  the  fullness 
of  the  gospel,  moved  him  to  enter  the  field  of  labor,  to  recom- 
mend salvation  to  all  around  him.  In  this  work  he  engaged 
with  all  that  fervor  which  became  a  minister  of  Jesus.  Such 
was  the  discipline  of  his  mind,  and  the  regulation  of  his  judg- 
ment in  the  selection  and  management  of  plain  passages  of 
scripture,  that  the  church,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  granted 
him  license  to  preach.  The  time  he  occupied  as  a  licentiate, 
is  not  definitely  recollected;  he  was,  however,  examined  by  a 
presbytery,  and  ordained  to  the  ministry,  October  2d,  1813. 

The  life  of  brother  Darden  was,  what  the  life  of  every 
Christian  should  be,  a  commentary  upon  his  principles;  his 
faith  was  exemplified  by  good  works.  His  life  was  devoted  to 
the  cause  of  Christ;  he  not  only  possessed  the  ability  to  be 
useful,  but  "whatever  his  hand  found  to  do,  he  did  it  with  his 
might."  By  his  humble  boldness  in  the  cause  of  Christ,  he 
did  much  in  promoting  its  interest.  His  example  is  worthy  of 
imitation;  his  zeal,  his  prayers  and  exhortations  will  long  be 
remembered  by  the  pious.  He  "ruled  well  his  own  household," 
and  displayed  a  talent  in  the  management  of  his  family  and 
domestic  concerns  seldom  evinced.  He  manifested  the  most 
ardent  solicitude  for  their  welfare,  and  sought  to  train  them 
up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord.  As  a  minister 
of  the  gospel,  member  of  the  church,  clerk  of  the  association, 
and  justice  of  the  peace,  he  maintained  a  dignity  seldom 
equalled.  He  was  nice  in  his  calculations,  deliberate  in  all 
his  decisions,  and  sincere  in  all  his  pretensions  in  church  and 
state.  Of  his  judgment  in  courts  of  justice,  it  was  said,  by 
shrewd  attorneys,  few  were  his  equals.  He  was  reverenced 
and  caressed  by  all  the  respectable  part  of  society,  who  knew 
him.     To  him,  the  language  of  Solomon  was  justly  applicable, 


JACOB    DARDEN.  395 

"When  a  man's  ways  please  the  Lord,  he  maketh  even  his 
enemies  to  he  at  peace  with  him." 

Not  long  after  he  commenced  his  ministerial  labors,  he  was 
admonished,  by  a  great  weakness  of  the  lungs,  and  spitting  of 
blood,  to  desist  from  his  former  exertions.  He  travelled  but 
little,  except  to  the  neighboring  associations  and  churches. 
He  preached  but  seldom  during  his  tedious  indisposition;  con- 
sequently was  not  much  known  as  a  public  minister  at  a  dis- 
tance from  home.  During  the  progress  of  a  glorious  revival, 
such  was  the  solicitude  of  his  heart,  he  could  not  forbear  public 
exercises  again,  under  the  pressure  of  which,  his  feeble  tene- 
ment was  soon  prostrated,  so  that  he  was  confined  to  his  room 
almost  continually  until  his  dissolution.  Under  his  affliction, 
he  manifested  unusual  resignation,  and  entire  dependence  on 
Christ  Jesus.  About  one  week  before  his  departure,  he  was 
visited  by  an  old  minister.  He  requested  him  to  shut  the 
door,  and  take  a  seat  by  his  bedside,  and  addressed  him  in  the 
following  language:  "Dear  brother,  I  feel  a  great  anxiety  that 
young  converts  of  the  late  revival  should  be  instructed  much 
in  the  leading  doctrines  of  the  gospel.  There  are  so  many 
sentiments  existing  in  the  Christian  community,  incompatible 
with  the  true  spirit  of  the  gospel,  I  fear  much  that  many 
young  Christians  may  be  led  into  error.  I  request  that  you 
will  take  much  pains,  in  the  spirit  of  meekness,  to  guard  them 
against  the  heresies  of  the  day;  especially,  the  Unitarian  and 
Socintan  doctrine,  which  has  already  overthrown  the  faith  of 
many;  I  expect  this  is  the  last  interview  we  shall  have  in 
time;  I  therefore  make  it  as  a  dying  request." 

Two  days  before  his  death,  he  said  to  a  young  brother  who 
visited  him,  "Brother,  I  am  glad  to  see  you,  I  thought  this 
morning,  I  should  have  been  gone  before  now;  but  1  was  re- 
signed; I  seemed  to  be  passing  along  pleasantly;  I  have  had 
the  presence  of  Jesus."  After  a  moment's  pause,  he  gave 
some  instructions  concerning  the  records  of  the  church,  and 
then  added:  "/  have  fought  a  good  fight,  and  my  trust  is  in 
the  Redeemer  for  the  crown  of  righteousness." 


69Q  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

He  continued  thus  tranquil  and  resigned,  until  the  fourth 
Sabbath  in  October,  1827,  when  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  and 
his  happy  soul,  as  we  doubt  not,  was  conducted  by  angels  into 
the  presence  of  God.  His  funeral  was  attended,  on  the  ensu- 
ing day,  by  Elder  S,  Murfee. 


JAMES    HE  AL  Y 


The  subject  of  this  memoir  was  born  in  Middlesex  county, 
July,  1756,  of  poor,  but  reputable  parents.  On  account  of  the 
death  of  his  father,  which  took  place  when  he  was  quite  young, 
his  education  was  remarkably  limited.  His  mother  sent  him 
to  school,  about  thirteen  months,  to  a  very  ordinary  teacher; 
being  a  boy  of  good  mind,  he  obtained  a  knowledge  of  the 
elementary  branches  of  education.  Most  of  his  early  life  was 
spent  in  working  upon  the  farm.  In  his  youth,  the  revolu- 
tionary struggle  began  between  America  and  Great  Britain, 
and,  at  sixteen  years  old,  he  enlisted  in  the  continental  army 
for  the  space  of  three  years,  served  his  tour  at  the  North,  and 
was  in  one  or  two  actual  engagements,  where  he  narrowly 
escaped  death  by  a  musket  ball.  This,  however,  made  no 
serious  impression  on  his  mind.  His  time  having  expired,  he 
was  discharged,  and  returned  to  the  place  of  his  nativity;  but 
not  to  enjoy  this  happiness  long.  Within  a  few  weeks  a  press- 
master  passed,  and  he  was  draughted  to  serve  two  years  in 
Georgia  and  North  Carolina.  During  this  period,  Cornwallis 
besieged  Little  York,  and  he  received  orders  to  march  thither; 
when  Cornwallis  was  forced  to  surrender,  and  he  again  re- 
turned home  to  his  friends.  Although  he  was  prudent  in 
saving  his  wages  while  in  the  army,  yet  it  profited  him  nothing. 
He  was  payed  oft'  in  continental  money,  which  immediately 
failed  after  the  war,  and  he  lost  it  all.     Shortly  after,  he  was 

*  By  Nathan  Healy. 


JAMES    HEALY.  '.i'.H 

married  to  a  poor  but  respectable  girl,  (Misa  Ruth  Bristow,) 
and,  by  their  united  industry  and  economy,  they  were  placed 
in  easy  circumstances.  He  was  enabled  to  purchase  a  farm, 
to  which  he  attended  with  great  success,  and  soon  became 
independent  in  his  circumstances. 

It  is  not  remembered  at  what  time,  or  in  what  way,  he  was 
brought  under  divine  influence.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  in  the 
Lord's  good  and  appointed  time,  and  way,  the  rebel  was  changed 
to  a  friend,  and  the  hater  of  God  was  brought  to  love  him. 
According  to  a  memorandum,  in  his  own  hand-writing,  he 
began  to  publish  the  news  of  salvation,  through  a  crucified 
Redeemer,  in  the  winter  of  1804,  in  the  forty-eighth  year  of 
his  age.  From  the  humble  view  he  always  had  of  his  own 
qualifications,  he  no  doubt  was  induced  to  embark  in  this  noble 
work  from  the  great  desire  he  felt  for  the  conversion  of  sin- 
ners. He  was  invited  to  take  the  pastoral  care  of  Pocorone, 
(King  and  Queen  county,)  at  the  time  of  its  constitution,  Au- 
gust 29th,  1607-  which  he  seemed  unwilling,  at  first,  to  do, 
saying  that  he  was  too  unworthy  and  incompetent  for  so  high 
and  responsible  a  station;  but  the  love  which  he  bore  to  his 
divine  Lord  soon  hushed  all  objections,  and  he  proceeded  to 
hold  a  stated  monthly  meeting  with  that  church,  and  to  admin- 
ister the  ordinances  of  the  gospel  to  their  great  satisfaction, 
and  the  gradual  increase  of  their  number,  to  the  day  of  his 
death.  For  several  years,  his  labor  was  confined  principally 
to  this  church  and  its  vicinities,  going  from  house  to  house, 
holding  evening  meetings,  and  preaching  on  the  Lord's  day 
in  private  houses,  when  invited.  Sometime  about  the  year 
1809,  he,  with  the  few  Baptists  near  the  central  part  of  Mid- 
dlesex, built  a  new  house  of  worship  on  a  corner  of  his  land, 
called  Clark's  neck  meeting-house,  where  a  monthly  meeting 
was  heir!.  This  meeting  he  regularly  attended,  and  whenever 
the  pastor  of  Hermitage  was  prevented  by  any  cause  to  attend, 
he  never  failed  to  fill  the  vacuity. 

In  a  few  years  after  this  house  was  built,  it  pleased  God  to 
call  away,  by  death,  the  pastor  of  Hermitage.  Being  now  left 
34* 


398  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

destitute,  Elder  J.  Healy  was  called  to  the  pastorate,  which 
call  he  accepted,  and  labored  one  Lord's  day  in  a  month  with 
that  body,  one  at  Clark's  Neck,  one  Lord's  day  at  Pocorone, 
and  the  other  Lord's  day  he  preached,  sometimes  at  the  old 
church,  King  and  Queen,  sometimes  at  Ware's,  and  at  other 
places.  In  1815,  his  eldest  son,  John  Healy,  died,  and  Zoar 
church  was  left  without  the  bread  of  life.  After  a  year  or  two, 
their  great  destitution,  and  repeated  applications,  induced 
Elder  Healy  to  take  charge  of  this  church.  Thus  he  was 
constantly  engaged  in  supplying  four  congregations,  until  he 
was  removed  from  his  field  of  labor  by  the  Master  of  the 
vineyard. 

He  was  very  plain  in  dress,  and  was  remarkable  for  sim- 
plicity of  manners;  he  was  reserved  before  strangers,  but  open 
and  accessible  to  his  friends  and  brethren;  economical  in  his 
habits,  yet  humane  and  hospitable  to  all,  and  especially  charita- 
ble to  the  poor.  In  him,  the  orphan  might  find  a  father,  and  the 
widow  a  fiiend.  It  is  worthy  of  observation,  that  immediately 
after  the  late  war,  corn  became  so  extravagantly  high,  that  with 
great  difficulty  did  the  poor  obtain  bread.  Although  he  was 
in  the  yearly  practice  of  shipping  the  larger  portion  of  the 
corn  he  sold,  yet,  seeing  the  distress  of  many  that  year,  he 
declined  sending  off  any  of  his  corn,  and  retailed  it  out  on 
credit  to  his  poor  neighbors,  and  the  poor  widows  around  him, 
for  less  than  many  asked,  in  cash,  for  theirs;  and  to  the  poor 
widows,  who  bought  of  him,  he  gave  employment,  that  he 
might  belter  enable  them  to  liquidate  their  accounts. 

As  a  preacher,  his  address  was  not  prepossessing,  and  his 
voice  was  sonorous  and  boisterous;  he  was  sound  in  the  doc- 
trines of  grace,  and  seemed  to  speak  with  a  holy  unction, 
which  always  commanded  attention.  Though  not  eloquent, 
he  might  be  said  to  be  a  good  doctrinal  preacher.  It  is  stated 
by  one  of  his  cotemporaries,  that  after  Elder  Healy  had  com- 
menced preaching,  be  was  thrown  into  a  state  of  darkness, 
and  leanness  of  soul,  that  led  him  to  think  he  had  committed 
a  sin  in  attempting  it;    he  therefore  prayed  to  God  that  he 


JAMES     HEALV.  f  399 

would  forgive  him,  promising  that  he  would  do  so  uo  more. 
But,  from  his  subsequent  life,  we  find  him  more  bold,  ener- 
getical, and  indefatigable,  after  the  temptation  was  removed, 
than  before.  As  he  approximated  the  end  of  his  earthly 
career,  he  seemed  to  possess  an  increasing  enlargement  of 
intellectual  power  and  ardor  of  address,  while  his  preaching 
was  truly  in  the  power  and  demonstration  of  the  spirit. 

In  the  last  years  of  his  life,  he  enjoyed  a  large  portion  of 
good  health,  excepting  short  interruptions  from  the  rheumat- 
ism. The  day  week  on  which  he  was  attacked  with  his  last 
illness,  he  was  called  upon  to  preach  on  a  funeral  occasion,  in 
a  neighborhood  where  he  had  not  for  sometime  visited,  and 
the  brethren  and  he  were  much  delighted  on  meeting  each 
other:  when  asked  how  he  was,  he  replied,  "I  feel  as  well  and 
as  hearty  as  when  I  was  a  boy,  only  I  am  not  as  active.''  Af- 
ter preaching,  he  returned  home,  and,  a  few  days  after,  was 
siezed  with  a  violent  bilious  fever,  which  continued  until  the 
Master  sent  his  messenger  to  take  him  to  his  final  reward.  In 
his  illness,  the  fever  was  often  so  violent,  that  his  intellect  was 
greatly  impaired.  When  in  his  right  mind,  he  bore  his  pain 
with  calmness  and  resignation.  He  avoided  speaking  much 
upon  the  subject  of  death,  it  is  believed,  to  prevent  giving  pain 
to  his  family.  When  all  his  family  were  out  of  the  room,  ex- 
cept bis  oldest  son,  he  communicated  to  him  his  persuasion 
that  his  final  dissolution  was  at  hand.  The  day  before  hia 
death,  he  conversed  pleasantly  with  the  doctor  and  his  friends, 
showing  no  anxiety  nor  fear,  but  by  his  composure  and  cheer- 
fulness, seemed  to  say,  I  am  ready  whenever  my  change  shall 
come.  The  morning  of  his  death,  his  speech  began  to  fail 
him,  and  early  in  the  evening  of  October  4th,  1820,  his  spirit 
took  its  Bight  to  the  realms  of  love  in  the  skies.  He  died  in 
the  65th  year  of  bis  age,  and  16th  or  17th  year  of  his  ministry, 
leaving  a  widow  with  five  children,  and  numerous  friends,  to 
mourn  that  loss  which  was  his  Unspeakable  gain.  The  Rev. 
Robert  B.  Semple,  (who  was  well  acquainted  with  him  in  his 
life,)   preached   his  funeral   sermon  at   Clark's   neck   meeting 


400 


BIOGRAPHY    OF 


house,  from  Matthew,  25th  chapter,  and  21st  verse:  "His 
Lord  said  unto  him,  well  done,  thou  good  and  faithful  ser- 
vant; thou  hast  been  faithful  over  a  kw  things;  I  will  make 
thee  ruler  over  many  things;  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy 

Lord." 


WILLIAM     BELL 


Elder  William  Bell  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  whence  he 
emigrated  to  this  country  in  1817,  and  for  the  last  seventeen 
years  had  been  a  resident  of  Pattonsburg.  He  was,  for  some 
years,  a  minister  of  an  independent  Pedobaptist  church  in  Scot- 
land, having  separated  from  the  Presbyterian,  the  established 
church,  on  account  of  errors  in  doctrine  and  in  church  govern- 
ment. Having  taken  the  word  of  God  as  the  only  rule  of  his 
faith  and  practice,  he,  in  searching  the  scriptures,  found  that 
he  had  been  in  error,  both  as  regarded  the  subject  and  mode 
of  baptism.  Deeply  affected  with  a  sense  of  his  situation,  he 
publicly  confessed  his  error,  and  directed  the  attention  of  his 
brethren  to  their  duty  as  believers;  the  result  was  that  he,  to- 
gether with  the  members  of  his  church,  were  solemnly  im- 
mersed in  the  name  of  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost.  But 
in  consequence  of  the  want  of  an  evangelical  Baptist  minister, 
to  administer  the  ordinance,  the  series  of  baptisms  was  com- 
menced by  one  of  (he  elders  of  the  church,  who  had  been  set 
apart  for  that  purpose,  but  who  was  not  himself  immersed  un- 
til after  he  had  first  immersed  the  subject  of  this  notice.  Un- 
der his  ministry,  others  received  the  truth,  and  he  had  the 
pleasure  of  seeing,  previous  to  his  leaving  Scotland,  some  hun- 
dreds obeying  the  Lord,  by  following  him  into  the  watery 
grave,  and  by  continuing  steadfastly  in  the  apostles'  doctrine, 
and  in  fellowship,  and  in  breaking  of  bread.  After  his  migra- 
tion to  this  country,  the  wants  of  a  large  family  and  the  pecu- 
liar nature  of  his  employments,  confined  him  constantly  to  the 

*  From  the  Religious  Herald. 


DAVID    ROI>ER.  401 

place  of  his  residence,  consequently  his  acquaintance  was  lim- 
ited, and  his  usefulness  circumscribed  to  a  small  sphere.  Nev- 
ertheless, from  his  settlement  in  this  country,  to  the  Sabbath 
before  his  death,  (upon  which  day  he  walked  a  mile  into  the 
country,  and  preached  for  the  last  time  from  Acts  xv,  9,)  he 
ceased  not  to  preach  that  gospel  which  had  been  the  power  of 
God  in  his  own  salvation,  as  opportunity  offered,  both  in  the 
town  in  which  he  resided,  and  in  the  adjacent  country.  He 
also  sought  the  aquaintance  of  ministers  of  the  gospel,  profes- 
sors of  religion,  and  serious  persons,  and  endeavored,  affec- 
tionately and  forcibly,  to  point  out  their  errors,  and  to  expound 
unto  them  the  way  of  G*od  more  perfectly.  Although  not  bless- 
ed with  more  than  an  ordinary  English  education,  he  had,  by 
close  study,  particularly  of  the  scriptures,  acquired  a  more 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  word  of  God,  and  clearer  views  of 
the  plan  of  salvation  by  grace,  through  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  a  more  perspicuous  and  forcible  method  of  carry- 
ing knowledge  to  others,  than  that  of  any  public  minister  with 
whom  the  writer  of  this  is  acquainted  in  this  country. 


DAVID     ROPER 


The  Rev.  David  Roper  was  born  Sept.  27th,  1792,  in  the 
county  of  Charles  City.  His  father,  David  Roper,  was  a 
respectable  farmer,  noted  for  the  industry,  frugality,  and  inde- 
pendence of  spirit  which  characterized  the  time  and  country 
in  which  he  lived;  and  remarkable  fur  his  punctilious  observ- 
ance of  promises,  and  for  his  benevolence  to  the  poor.  His 
mother  was  a  Christian,  and  prayed  devoutly  for  her  children. 
Such  intercessions  commonly  prevail;  and  the  instruction  and 
example,  which  always  accompany  them,  when  sincere,  cannot 
be  without  effect.  The  subject  of  this  hasty  sketch,  enjoyed, 
while  a  boy,  no  other  advantages  for  instruction,  than  those 

*  Prepared  by  Elder  Henry  Keeling- 


402  BIOGRAI>HY    OF 

which  are  furnished  in  ordinary  schools.  In  one  of  these, 
however,  he  received  the  elements  of  a  plain  English  educa- 
tion, and  at  a  very  early  period  distinguished  himself,  by  his 
attainments,  and  skill  in  arithmetical  calculations.  This  fact 
might  have  been  passed  over  in  silence,  were  it  not  considered 
as  an  early  indication  of  the  superior  rational  powers  with 
which  his  mind  was  to  be  afterward  possessed. 

It  was  not  until  1810,  that  he  commenced  in  this  city,  such 
English,  mathematical,  and  classical  studies  as,  by  attainments 
in  which  he  became  qualified  for  future  usefulness.  In  these, 
his  progress  was  astonishing.  Not  quite  two  years  were 
employed  in  the  accomplishment  of  an  amount  of  Latin  lite- 
rature, equal  to  what  is  completed  by  graduates  in  our  most  re- 
spectable colleges.  And  the  facility  was  as  great,  with  which 
he  acquired  a  knowledge  of  the  Greek  language.  In  all  pro- 
bability, it  was  now  that  his  constitution  began  to  be  impaired. 
Four  years'  unceasing  application  to  books,  during  a  part  of 
which  time,  he  boarded  in  the  country,  at  a  distance  of  three 
or  four  miles,  which  he  walked,  returning  the  same  day,  re- 
duced him  from  a  strong  and  healthy,  to  a  thin  and  pallid  ap- 
pearance. Here  we  could  stop  and  weep,  that  in  their  devel- 
opement,  talent  and  virtue  should  so  frequently  be  clogged  with 
hindrances  and  privation.  But  we  are  checked  by  the  possi- 
bility that  hindrances  and  privation  produce  application  and 
system,  which  more  than  counterbalance  their  own  disadvan- 
tages. Certain  it  is,  that  many  of  the  most  distinguished  indivi- 
duals who  adorn  the  annals  of  literature  and  religion,  and  who 
occupy  the  most  responsible  and  useful  stations  in  life,  have  be- 
come qualified  for  them,  in  the  midst  of  appalling  disadvantages. 

About  the  close  of  1813,  he  completed  his  classical  studies 
with  the  Rev.  Robert  B.  Semple  of  King  and  Queen;  and 
shortly  after,  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  under  the  di- 
rection of  the.  late  Dr.  James  Greenhow.  His  progress  in  this 
study  induced  the  Doctor  to  remark  that,  "Mr.  Roper  had  ac- 
quired as  much  knowledge  of  medicine  in  one  year,  as  young 
men  generally  obtain  in  two."    His  early  marriage  rendered  it 


PAVID    KOPER.  403 

necessary  to  abandon  the  pursuit  of  a  profession,  preparation 
for  which,  required  so  much  time;  and  now,  his  eflbrts  and 
patrimonial  estate  were  embarked  in  mercantile  life,  in  which, 
in  the  course  of  one  year,  he  proved  entirely  unsuccessful,  and 
failed.  By  this  disaster,  his  circumstances  were  very  much 
reduced;  and  no  other  means,  for  the  time,  presenting  them- 
selves, by  which  his  family  might  be  supported,  he  engaged 
in  copying  the  records  of  a  court.  In  this  unprofitable  em- 
ployment it  was  necessary  to  toil  twelve  or  fifteen  hours  a  day, 
to  secure  sustenance  and  comfort. 

But  such  talents  as  those  with  which  Mr.  Roper  had  been 
blessed  by  his  Maker,  could  not  remain  unseen,  by  the  intelli- 
gent and  the  good.  In  1817,  he  was  employed  by  judge 
Bouldin,  as  a  clerk,  lor  the  management  of  an  extensive  estate; 
in  discharging  the  duties  of  which,  his  integrity,  knowledge  of 
accounts,  and  assiduity,  secured  the  unchanging  confidence  and 
friendship  of  his  employer.  In  this  office  he  continued,  at  an 
annual  salary  of  Si, '200,  until  the  year  1822,  when  the  estate 
required  a  clerk  no  longer.  Afterwards,  he  occupied  respon- 
sible stations  in  the  two  banks  in  this  city,  one  of  which  he 
filled  until  his  death;  and  in  these,  he  gave  entire  satisfaction, 
and  obtained  universal  regard. 

It  was  while  at  school  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Semple,  that  he 
made  a  profession  of  religion.  In  a  letter  to  his  brother,  at 
about  that  time,  describing  his  religious  exercises  of  heart,  he 
remarks,  "You  may  think  it  strange,  when  I  tell  you,  I  am 
born  again.''  Of  the  reality  of  this  change,  his  subsequent 
life  aflbrded  satisfactory  proof.  To  what  extent  the  instruction 
of  his  venerable  preceptor,  may  have  been  blessed  in  the  pro- 
duction of  this  change,  is  unknown  to  the  writer  of  this  sketch. 
But  it  is  well  known  to  all  his  friends,  that  till  the  end  of  his 
days,  he  looked  up  to  him,  and  admired  and  loved  him,  as  a 
father.  Soon  afterwards,  he  attached  himself  to  the  Baptist 
church:  in  which,  he  was  licensed  to  the  exercise  of  gifts  in 
public  teaching  and  exhorting,  and  then  fully  ordained  to  the 
gospel  ministry. 


404  BIOGRAFIIY    OF 

Upon  the  constitution  of  the  Second  Baptist  church,  Rich- 
mond, in  1819,  he  received  an  affectionate  call  to  be  their  pastor. 
This  call,  it  was  not  possible  that  he  accepted  from  any  other 
motive  than  an  impression  of  imperious  duty.  The  number  of 
members  in  the  church  did  not  exceed  thirty — among  these 
there  was  but  little  wealth — the  house  in  which  they  worship- 
ped was  rented — the  congregation  was  to  collect — and  the 
boundaries  of  the  different  churches  and  worshiping  assem- 
blies appeared  to  be  distinctly  marked.  But,  of  this  small  num- 
ber, there  were  praying  and  active  men.  And  their  efforts, 
under  the  divine  blessing,  were  successful  in  the  erection  of  a 
commodious  and  neat  edifice,  dedicated  to  the  service  of  God. 
But,  it  is  easy  to  see,  that  under  circumstances  like  these,  their 
pastor  could  not  he  supported  without  his  own  individual  toils. 

Now,  his  labors  were  too  heavy,  to  be  sustained  by  any  man 
of  feeble  constitution.  The  enlightened  understanding,  the  re- 
fined taste,  and  the  high  sense  of  ministerial  duty,  possessed 
and  cherished  by  Mr.  Roper,  did  not  permit  him  to  enter  the 
sacred  desk,  with  a  mind  unprepared  by  previous  thought  and 
research,  to  discuss,  explain,  and  enforce  the  subject  of  his  dis- 
course. But  the  time  requisite  to  be  devoted  to  thought  and 
research  for  the  matter  and  form  of  his  religious  discourses, 
he  was  compelled  to  subtract  from  that  portion,  which  his 
health  demanded  him  to  appropriate  to  exercise,  relaxation,  and 
repose.  Of  the  intenseness  with  which  he  labored  in  the  col- 
lection of  solid,  evangelical  sentiments,  for  the  good  of  his 
hearers,  the  mass  of  manuscript  sermons  which  he  has  left  be- 
hind him,  and  the  distinctness  with  which  they  remain  en- 
graved on  the  memory  and  hearts  of  many  of  those  to  whom 
they  were  addressed,  are  affecting  evidences.  An  agreeable 
manner  in  the  pulpit,  is  the  only  excellence  as  a  preacher,  which 
he  did  not  possess;  and,  in  this  particular  itself,  he  surpassed 
many  whose  names  are  justly  enrolled  among  the  most  eminent 
pastors  in  our  country.  For  clearness  of  method,  force  of  ar- 
gument, aptness  of  illustration,  purity  of  language,  and  cor- 
rectness in  sentiment,  as  to  doctrine  and  precept,  his  sermons 


DAVID    ROPER.  405 

were  remarkable.  Yet,  in  the  midst  of  life,  at  an  age  when 
the  intellectual  and  bodily  powers  of  man  are  scarcely  at  ma- 
turity, a  mysterious  Providence  calls  him  away.  Some  time 
in  1325,  his  declining  health  compelled  him  to  relinquish  his 
charge,  and  as  much  as  a  year  elapsed  before  his  death,  in 
which  he  was  totally  unable  to  preach. 

In  the  last  summer  and  autumn,  his  friends  and  physicians 
thought  that  travelling  might  improve  his  health;  but  from  this 
he  was  prevented,  it  is  believed,  exclusively  by  his  attachment 
to  his  domestic  enjoyments.  Indeed  he  said  that  when  away 
from  his  family,  his  mind  never  felt  at  rest.  Then,  the  idea 
was  cherished,  while  the  blasts  of  winter  would  apparently  de- 
stroy him,  that  the  mildness  of  spring  might  be  instrumental 
in  his  restoration.  But  the  sudden  transition  from  cold  to  mild 
weather,  in  the  month  of  February,  was  accompanied  by  an 
immediate  prostration  of  all  bodily  energy,  and  in  ten  days  he 
fell  asleep. 

He  had  long  before  told  his  physicians  not  to  fear  declaring 
to  him  any  apprehensions  they  might  have,  as  to  the  issue  of 
his  indisposition:  that  he  was  not  afraid  to  die.  In  his  sick- 
ness, during  six  weeks'  confinement  to  the  house,  his  mind  was 
composed.  Shortly  before  his  death,  he  selected  as  the  text, 
(whose  improvement  he  wished  at  his  funeral,)  the  words,  "Not 
by  works  of  righteousness,  which  we  have  done,"  &c.  While 
sinking  into  death,  his  mind,  from  the  nature  of  the  disease 
which  oppressed  his  body,  was  not  joyous;  but  it  was  calm 
and  resigned,  trusting  in  the  compassion  of  God  and  the  merits 
and  intercession  of  the  Redeemer.  On  23th  February,  1827, 
at  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  he  reached  the  other  side  of 
"the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death.''  In  this  passage  he  had 
been  supported  by  the  consolations  of  the  gospel — "a  rod  and 
a  staff."  "The  wicked  is  driven  away  in  his  wickedness;  but 
the  righteous  hath  hope  in  his  death."  On  Thursday,  at  four 
o'clock,  I*.  M.,  his  remains  were  taken  to  the  Second  Baptist 
church,  at  which,  notwithstanding  the  great  inclemency  of  the 
day,  a  large  concourse  of  respectable  citizens  had  assembled. 
35 


406  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

In  accordance  with  the  request  of  the  deceased,  an  appropriate 
address  was  made  by  the  Rev.  H.  Keeling.  And  then  a  solemn 
procession  followed  the  corpse  to  the  grave,  "the  house  ap- 
pointed for  all  living.'' 

As  a  Christian,  Mr.  Roper  was  sentimental  and  exemplary. 
Adhering  to  the  doctrine,  that  salvation  is  by  grace  alone,  he 
maintained  the  necessity  of  a  holy  life.  In  his  manners,  un- 
ostentatious and  retiring,  yet  firmly  attached  to  what  he  deem- 
ed to  be  right.  Fixed  in  the  belief,  that  the  sentiments  pecu- 
liar to  his  own  denomination,  are  true;  yet  opposed  to  bigotry. 
Economical,  yet  liberal.  No  man  afforded  pecuniary  aid  to  a 
greater  extent  than  he,  in  proportion  to  his  means,  to  support 
the  cause  of  Christ  and  his  gospel.  "Diligent  in  business,  fer- 
ment in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord." 

An  afflicted  widow,  four  children,*  and  an  affectionate  bro- 
ther, lament,  in  this  bereavement,  an  irreparable  loss;  while  the 
cause  of  virtue,  knowledge,  and  piety,  is  deprived  of  an  able 
advocate  and  a  firm  supporter. 


JEREMIAH     DALE.t 

Elder  D^ le  was  born  at  Danvers,  Massachusetts,  1 787.  At 
the  age  of  eighteen  he  became  the  subject  of  religious  impress- 
ions, and  hopeful  conversion,  and  united  with  the  Baptist 
church  in  Danvers,  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Elder  Chaplin. 
He  had  early  impressions  that  it  was  his  duty  to  preach  the 
gospel,  but  the  want  of  education,  and,  in  his  view,  other 
requisite  qualifications,  deterred  him  from  the  undertaking. 
Being  by  trade  a  wheelwright  he  pursued  his  business  with 
diligence,  and  endeavored  to  satisfy  himself  with  the  perform- 
ance of  such  duties  as  devolve  on  every  private  Christian. 

In  1816,  he  removed  to  Ohio  and  settled  in  Zanesvi'Ie,  in- 
tending  to    devote   himself  to  his  trade.     But  a  series  of  ad- 

*   It  ia  a  pleasing  fact,  that  one  of  his  children,  Mrs.  Frances  G.  Dav- 
enport, is  now  employed  as  a  missionary  among  the  Siamese. 
f  Prepared  by  a  committee  of  Marietta  church. 


JEREMIAH    DALE.  407 

verse  Providences  induced  liim  to  review  the  subject  of  duty 
and  devote  himself  to  the  Christian  ministry.  Within  two 
years  after  his  settlement  at  Zancsville,  ho  buried  his  first  wife 
and  two  children: — and  in  ahout  two  years  more,  a  second 
wife;  and  not  long  after  his  large  and  commodious  shop,  with 
all  its  contents,  was  consumed  hy  fire.  Finally,  he  was  called 
to  mourn  the  loss  of  a  third  wife  and  her  child.  Thus  be- 
reaved and  afllicted  he  was  led  to  review  his  steps.  lie  con- 
sidered those  afflictive  dispensations  as  the  corrections  of  his 
heavenly  Father,  and  yielding  to  the  impressions  of  duty,  be- 
came a  preacher  of  righteousness.  Before  this  time,  how- 
ever, a  Baptist  church  had  been  organized  in  Zancsville,  under 
the  care  of  Elder  George  C.  Sedwick.  Mr.  Dale  was  elected 
and  ordained  a  deacon  of  this  church,  and  discharged  the  duties 
of  the  office,  with  great  diligence  and  fidelity.  His  pastor 
.believing  it  to  be  his  duty  to  preach,  took  pains  to  introduce 
him  gradually  into  the  ministerial  employment,  until  he  was 
himself  convinced  what  was  duty. 

Elder  Dale  was  ordained  to  the  gospel  ministry  at  a  Con- 
vention of  Baptist  churches  convened  at  Bristol,  Morgan  coun- 
ty, Ohio,  on  the  8th  of  May,  1825.  From  this  time  he  re- 
linquished all  worldly  employment,  and  with  a  zeal  and  per- 
severance seldom  equalled,  devoted  himself  and  all  his  faculties 
to  the  work.  In  June,  1825,  he  took  charge  of  Mount 
Zion,  and  Bethesda  Baptist  churches  on  Little  Kenhawa  river, 
in  Virginia,  and  in  the  next  month  began  his  labors  with 
the  Marietta  Baptist  church,  Ohio.  He  likewise  visited  and 
labored  occasionally  with  Parkcrsburg  church,  Virginia. 
Soon  after  the  commencement  of  his  labors  with  the  Marietta 
church,  it  held  regular  meetings  at  three  distinct  places,  at 
each  of  which  he  ministered  monthly.  The  members  were  scat- 
tered to  the  extent  of  more  than  forty  miles.  But  these  were 
not  the  boundaries  of  his  labor.  Neighboring  districts  seemed 
continually  to  invite  him  to  enlarge  his  sphere  of  action,  till  his 
travels,  from  about  three  hundred  miles  per  month,  increased 
in  the  end  to  more  than  four  hundred.     His  exertions  were 


408  BIOGKAPHY     OP 

incessant.  No  man  could  devote  himself  more  thoroughly — 
may  we  not  say  none  more  disinterestedly?  It  is  apprehended 
that  he  received  from  those  to  whom  he  ministered,  scarcely 
enough  to  defray  his  current  expenditures.  He  was  remarka- 
bly punctual  to  his  appointments.  But  it  is  remarkable  that 
through  all  this  course  of  exertion,  his  health  was  seldom  or 
never  good.  But  he  exerted  himself  as  one  who  had  a  great 
work  to  perform  in  a  little  time.  This  work  increased  rapidly 
on  his  hands,  till,  at  length,  his  services  were  divided  between 
five  churches  who  waited  on  his  ministry.  And  among  these 
the  Marietta  church  alone  presented  a  field  of  labor,  such  as 
is  seldom  well  occupied  by  any  one  man.  It  has  been  re- 
marked  concerning  him,  while  thus  engaged,  that  he  seemed 
hurrying  fast,  too  fast  for  us,  to  the  haven  of  rest  and  peace. 
In  the  early  part  of  1831,  his  health  was  evidently  on  the  de- 
cline. In  the  spring  he  became  so  feeble  that  he  was  obliged, 
to  desist  from  his  labors.  Having  labored  in  the  ministry, 
with  almost  unexampled  perseverance  and  with  remarkable 
success,  during  six  years,  he  bade  those  who  had  been  under 
his  faithful  charge  an  affectionate  farewell,  and  with  some 
.faint  prospect  of  renovated  health,  commenced  his  journey  to 
the  east.  On  the  14th  of  July,  1831,  he  arrived  in  his  native 
town  of  Danvers,  near  Boston.  After  a  few  days  he  went  to 
visit  a  brother  residing  in  Gloucester,  about  twenty  miles  from 
Danvers.  While  in  Gloucester  the  solicitude  of  friends  in- 
duced him  to  attempt  three  services  on  Lord's  day,  July  24th. 
On  the  next  day  he  returned  to  Danvers,  being  desirous  of  at- 
tending a  series  of  religious  meetings  which  were  to  commence 
on  Tuesday  the  26th.  It  is  said  that  his  presence  and  exhor- 
tation cheered  the  people  on  the  two  first  days  of  meeting — 
but  on  the  third  he  was  so  feeble  that  he  attempted  no  service. 
On  the  morning  of  the  following  day  he  discharged  blood 
freely  from  his  lungs.  His  late  exertion  had  probably  hast- 
ened and  aggravated  his  complaints.  By  medical  aid  the  dis- 
charge of  blood  wa3  soon  stayed,  but  his  internal  powers  were 
so  reduced  that  no  human  aid  could  stay  the  ebbing  tide  of  life. 


JEREMIAH    DALE.  409 

He  declined  rapidly  until  Sept.  4th,  when,  as  we  trust,  his  hap- 
py spirit  took  its  flight  to  the  peaceful  realms  of  bliss. 

He  has  left  an  only  son  to  mourn  his  loss.  It  must  have 
been  highly  consoling  to  him  that  this  affectionate  and  promis- 
ing child,  then  a  student  of  Brown  University,  should  have  been 
permitted  to  administer  the  last  kind  offices  of  humanity  to  the 
sinking  parent.  When  sensible  of  his  approaching  dissolu- 
tion, his  mind  appeared  tranquil,  and  his  thoughts  seemed  to 
dwell  on  heavenly  subjects.  His  feelings  in  regard  to  the  peo- 
ple, of  his  charge  are  well  expressed  by  his  son,  in  a  letter 
communicating  the  news  of  his  death.  The  churches  in  afar 
distant  region  "are  called  to  mourn  the  loss  of  a  pastor,  ardently 
and  untiringly  devoted  to  their  interest — who  ceased  not  to 
warn  every  one  night  and  day  with  tears;"  "who  counted  not 
his  life  dear  unto  himself,  so  that  he  might  finish  his  course 
with  joy  and  the  ministry  which  he  had  received  of  the  Lord 
Jesus."  His  last  sickness  was  without  much  pain  till  the  two 
last  days,  on  the  last  of  which  his  bodily  suffering  was  such  as 
to  take  away  his  reason. 

The  following  account  of  Elder  Dale's  last  conversation  is 
extracted  from  a  letter  of  Elder  Barnaby,  pastor  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  in  Danvers. 

"If  he  ever  betrayed  any  anxiety,  it  was  for  the  people  of 
his  flock.  You  may  learn,  in  some  good  degree,  what  was 
the  general  state  of  his  mind  by  the  remarks  which  dropped 
from  his  lips  on  the  15th  of  August,  when  all  hopes  of  recov- 
ery were  abandoned,  both  by  himself  and  others;  and  these 
arc  expressions  of  his  general  state  of  mind  during  his  very 
short  confinement. 

"I  have,''  said  he,  "no  wish  to  live  beyond  my  usefulness. 
It  seems  my  labors  are  ended  on  earth  and  the  time  of  my  de- 
parture is  at  hand.  I  wish  to  go  and  to  be  with  Christ;  I  feel 
perfectly  resigned  to  the  will  of  God,  whether  in  life  or  death. 
His  will  is  perfectly  right.  His  sweet  promises  are  my  sup- 
port and  comfort.  My  faith  is  unshaken.  I  am  a  poor  sinner, 
entirely  dependent  on  the  grace  of  God  for  salvation.  I  have 
35* 


410 


BIOGRAPHY    OP 


felt  that  I  deserved  hell;  but  his  grace  has  comforted  me.  I 
have  delighted  to  dwell  on  this  doctrine  in  my  ministry.  And 
now  if  I  had  no  sweet  experience  of  that  grace,  my  soul  would 
sink.  If  any  good  has  been  done  by  my  poor  labors,  grace 
has  done  it,  and  to  God  be  all  the  glory.  I  disclaim  all  merit. 
My  whole  dependence  is  on  the  blood  and  righteousness  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.''  He  then  particularly  spoke  of  Jesus 
as  the  ground  of  his  hope.  "O  how  precious,"  said  he,  "is  Je- 
sus. He  is  my  foundation.  On  him  I  now  rest,  and  death 
brings  not  terror  with  it.  The  gospel  1  have  tried  to  preach 
is  precious,  it  supports  me  in  looking  beyond  the  grave.'' 

The  last  interview,  says  Mr.  Barnaby,  which  I  had  with 
this  dear  brother,  was  on  Saturday,  the  day  before  his  death. 
After  much  interruption,  and  at  intervals,  he  made  the  follow- 
ing remarks: — "Yesterday  I  had  a  sweet  day.  Jesus  was  near 
me,  my  eye  was  fixed  upon  my  home  in  heaven.  To-day  my 
distress  has  been  such  that  I  have  been  able  but  for  a  few  mo- 
ments at  a  time  to  know  my  own  mind.  1  know,  however, 
that  I  am  going,  and  I  wisli  to  go.  Death  has  no  terrors." 
He  then  said,  "I  wish  you  to  make  a  short  prayer."  I  asked 
him  what  I  should  pray  for.  He  replied  with  great  readi- 
ness— "Pray  that  I  may  be  delivered."  And  asking  him  from 
what  he  wished  to  be  delivered,  he  replied  with  much  firm- 
ness, "I  have  loved  Jesus — I  have  loved  his  people  and  his 
cause.  He  has  blessed  my  poor  labors.  I  can  serve  him  no 
longer.     Pray  that  I  may  die  and  be  with  him." 

Of  the  usefulness  of  Elder  Dale's  labors  it  is  difficult  to 
speak  in  adequate  terms.  Their  best  memorial  is  on  the 
hearts  of  those  to  whom  he  ministered.  The  intensity  of 
those  labors  has  been  already  noticed.  So  constant  was  he  in 
travelling,  preaching,  and  exhorting,  that  during  his  ministry 
he  had  no  certain  dwelling  place.  "He  made  no  pretensions 
to  the  fame  of  an  eloquent  orator.''  But  in  the  faithful  warn- 
ings and  entreaties  of  an  affectionate  pastor,  he  exerted  a  most 
salutary  influence  over  those  among  whom  he  labored.  Dur- 
ing his  six  years'  labor,  it  is  understood  that  more  than  three 


JEREMIAH    DALE.  41 1 

hundred  were  added  to  the  churches  under  his  care;  probably 
about  that  number  were  baptized  by  himself.  He  was  called 
on  to  baptize  more  or  less  almost  every  week  for  months  to- 
gether; and  yet  he  never  baptized  more  than  five  at  a  time — 
and  this  number  he  did  baptize  repeatedly.  He  was  uncom- 
monly devotional,  affectionate,  and  amiable,  which  had  a  happy 
effect  on  society. 

On  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  October,  1831,  Elder  George  C. 
Sedwick  preached  a  sermon  commemorative  of  the  deceased, 
at  the  Little  Muskingum  Baptist  meeting-house,  near  Marietta, 
to  a  numerous  and  attentive  assembly  from  these  words:  "For 
he  was  a  good  man  and  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  of  faith, 
and  much  people  was  added  unto  the  Lord."    Acts  xi,  24. 

The  remaining  observations  are  from  the  pen  of  Elder  Hi- 
ram Gear,  who  for  some  time  has  supplied  the  church  at 
Parkersburg,  dec. 

Mr.  Dale  was  not  a  man  of  shining  talents,  but  he  was  one 
who  showed  how  lovely  and  "how  awful  goodness  is;"  and 
how  ordinary  talents,  imbued  and  controlled  by  celestial  good- 
ness, may  accomplish  much  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  sal- 
vation of  souls.  All  who  knew  him  esteemed  him,  and  his 
influence  over  many  was  extensive.  He  loved  many  ardently, 
and  many  ardently  loved  him. 

His  disposition  was  naturally  mild  and  amiable,  and  mel- 
lowed and  sweetened  as  it  was  by  divine  grace,  rendered  him 
agreeable  to  all;  and  eminently  fitted  him  to  communicate,  in 
conversation,  the  truths  of  God's  holy  word.  It  preserved  him 
also,  in  his  public  addresses,  from  harsh  and  embittered  ex- 
pressions, and  imparted  an  air  of  persuasiveness  to  all  his  dis- 
courses. He  loved  all  men;  he  therefore  sought  to  win  them 
to  God,  by  "speaking  the  truth  in  love."  His  benevolence 
also,  was  active  and  holy.  He  loved  souls  for  Christ's  sake, 
and  could  say,  in  truth,  in  respect  to  all  his  labors  and  suffer- 
ings for  souls,  "the  love  of  Christ  constraineth  me.''  This 
love  urged  him  to  the  use  of  a  variety  of  means  of  doing 
good.     Besides  his  great  business  of  preaching  the  word,  he 


412  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

was  in  the  constant  habit  of  distributing  religious  newspapers, 
tracts,  magazines,  bibles,  and  other  good  books;  and  he  never 
let  an  opportunity  of  private  conversation  pass  without  saying 
something  about  Christ,  and  the  salvation  of  the  soul.  Indeed* 
he  possessed  a  peculiar,  and  most  happy  faculty  of  addressing 
persons  directly  on  the  subject  of  religion.  His  knowledge  of 
human  nature  was  great,  and  such  was  the  kindness  and  sin- 
cerity of  his  manner,  that  he  would  find  his  way  to  the  heart 
of  almost  every  one  with  whom  he  conversed.  It  is  the  opin- 
ion of  many,  that  he  did  more  good  by  his  personal  conversa- 
tions than  by  his  public  addresses. 

His  zeal  and  resolution  in  the  work  of  the  ministry  was 
eminent,  and  persevering.  He  entered  the  ministry  at  an  ad- 
vanced period  of  life,  and  he  seems  to  have  felt  and  labored, 
as  though  the  work  of  a  whole  life  was  crowded  into  a  few 
short  years.  His  soul  was  inflamed  with  a  passionate  ardor 
for  the  salvation  of  men,  and  the  glory  of  God;  which  ani- 
mated, and  urged  his  feeble  frame  on  to  prodigious  labors. 
He  performed  a  circuit  of  about  four  hundred  miles  every 
month,  for  a  number  of  years  in  succession;  and  preached  al- 
most every  day,  and  sometimes,  twice  a  day,  during  the  whole 
period.  Besides  which,  he  would  visit,  monthly,  almost  every 
family  that  attended  his  meetings.  He  would  never  pass  the 
house  of  a  brother  or  sister  without  making  a  call,  though  but 
for  a  minute.  He  would  often  get  the  people  of  one  neighbor, 
hood  to  go  with  him  some  ten  or  twenty  miles  to  another,  to 
hold  a  meeting;  but  though  he  might  start  in  company  with 
them,  he  would  soon  push  ahead,  and  call  on  some  family  by  the 
way;  and  by  the  time  the  company  arrived,  he  would  be  ready 
to  join  them  again,  and  perhaps,  repeat  the  same  process  a 
number  of  times  during  the  journey.  There  was  not  a  by- 
way, nor  secluded  house  in  his  whole  circuit,  but  what  he 
knew.  No  storms,  no  heat,  no  cold,  no  weariness  could  stop 
him  from  attending  to  his  appointments.  Often,  when  arrived 
at  the  house  of  a  brother,  in  a  storm,  and  worn  down  with  fa- 
tigue, he  would  be  invited  and  urged  to  stop,  and  not  go  on  to  his 


JEREMIAH    DALE.  413 

appointment,  but  he  would  invariably  reply,  "Never  say  stop 
to  me,  but  go,  go,  go!"  And  he  did  go,  until  the  machinery  of 
life  was  worn  out. 

He  devoted  all  (he  sympathies  and  energies  of  his  soul  and 
body  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  God  had  deprived  him  of 
all  his  family,  save  one  son;  and  had  given  his  earthly  property 
to  the  burning  element:  and  thus  weaned,  and  disentangled 
from  the  world,  and  dead  thereto,  he  came  to  live  only  to  God, 
and  to  bestow  every  affection  and  every  power  upon  the  work 
to  which  God  had  most  manifestly  called  him.  He  conversed 
much,  but  it  was  almost  wholly  upon  religion.  He  spake  of 
the  world,  only  to  introduce  God;  of  time,  to  lead  the  thoughts 
on  to  eternity.  He  gave  himself  no  leisure  time.  He  fre- 
quently rode  ten  or  fifteen  miles  after  preaching,  in  the  even- 
ing, in  the  dark,  and  through  the  mud,  that  he  might  be  in 
season  to  his  appointment,  the  next  day;  and  in  the  morning, 
would  visit  a  number  of  families  before  breakfast.  He  thought, 
he  felt,  he  labored,  he  prayed  for  the  good  of  souls.  Himself 
he  denied,  annihilated,  sunk  into  the  ocean  of  disinterested 
benevolence. 

Thus  living  and  acting,  he  was  very  useful.  He  baptized 
almost  every  Sabbath,  during  the  whole  of  his  ministry;  and 
God  blessed  his  labors  to  the  conversion  of  many  perishing 
sinners.  President  Edwards  has  said  that,  "a  man  of  ordi- 
nary capacity  will  do  more  with  zeal  and  resolution  than  one 
of  ten  times  the  parts  and  learning  without  them;  more  may 
be  done  with  them  in  a  few  days  or  weeks,  than  can  be  done 
without  them  in  many  years.''  Mr.  Dale  was  an  example  of 
the  energy  of  this  zeal  and  resolution,  and  it  might  be  well  for 
some  of  our  men  of  "parts  and  learning"  to  consider  this  say- 
ing of  Edwards,  and  look  on  the  example  of  Mr.  Dale  and 
imitate. 

So  blameless  was  his  life,  so  heavenly  his  mind,  and  so  en- 
tirely devoted  to  the  good  of  others,  his  whole  labors,  that  no 
infidel  or  scoffer  of  religion  ever  charged  him  with  hypocrisy, 
or  impeached  the  integrity  of  his  character.   He  was  "a  burn- 


414  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

ing  and  a  shining  light,"  and  stood,  confessedly,  an  example 
of  purity,  and  devotedness  to  the  work  of  an  ambassador  for 
Christ.  And  though  dead,  he  yet  speaketh;  and  many  hear 
his  voice.  I  have  conversed  with  many,  lately  brought  to  the 
obedience  of  the  faith,  who  ascribe  their  first  serious  impres- 
sions to  his  discourses,  either  public  or  private.  While  on 
earth,  many  blessed  him;  and  we  doubt  not,  that  at  the  great 
day  of  final  accounts,  the  Judge  of  all  will  say  to  him,  "Well 
done,  Ihou  good  and  faithful  servant:  thou  hast  been  faithful 
over  a  few  things,  I  will  make  thee  ruler  over  many  things: 
enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 


JOHN    H  E AL Y. 


The  subject  of  the  following  memoir  was  a  man  of  sincere 
piety;  and,  although  not  eminent  for  erudition,  the  Lord  made 
him  the  instrument  of  much  good  in  his  day  and  generation. 
He  was  the  son  of  Capt.  James  and  Mrs.  Ruth  Healy,  resi- 
dents of  Middlesex  county,  who  were  remarkable,  (his  father 
particularly,)  for  zeal  and  piety.  He  was  a  preacher  above 
the  ordinary  standard,  and  filled  that  station  with  efficiency, 
being  successful  in  his  labors,  and,  as  a  pastor,  was  sincerely 
beloved  by  his  church  and  congregation. 

He  was  born  about  the  year  1785,  and,  removing  from  his 
father's  family  when  young,  resided  in  Matthews  county,  where 
he  lived  at  the  time  of  his  conversion.  In  the  year  1806,  he 
was  taught  of  God  to  understand  and  feel  his  need  of  Christ, 
and  immediately  on  his  baptism  became  a  minister  of  the  ever- 
lasting gospel.  A  short  time  after,  he  became  the  pastor  of 
the  Matthews  Baptist  church;  in  this  relation  he  continued  as 
long  as  he  lived.  Beside  this,  at  their  special  and  urgent  re- 
quest, he  assumed  the  pastoral  care  of  Zoar  church,  in  Mid- 
dlesex county.  In  the  discharge  of  these  duties,  he  was  un- 
blamable, or  as  much  so  perhaps  as  falls  to  the  lot  of  finite 
man;  notwithstanding  which,  he  was  at  one  time  the  subject 


JOHN    ASHCUM    BILLINGSLEY.  415 

of  persecution  of  a  most  aggravated  nature.  This  all  may  ex- 
pect, who  would  live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus.  Although  consti- 
tutionally of  a  hasty  temper,  he  bore  the  unmerited  rebukes 
of  those  around  him  with  Christian  meekness,  and  lived  in  the 
constant  exercise  of  those  lovely  traits,  which  are  the  chief 
ornament  of  the  Christian  character.  There  can  be  no  lovelier 
object  presented  to  the  contemplation  of  man,  than  the  child 
of  God,  living  in  the  mortification  of  his  selfish  and  carnal  pro- 
pensities, and  bringing  every  thought  into  subjection  to  Christ. 
Firmness  and  promptness  in  the  performance  of  duty,  were 
characteristics  of  Elder  Ilealy;  and  no  one  perhaps  was  more 
desirous  to  advance  the  cause  he  advocated.  It  pleased  the 
Lord,  however,  to  cut  him  off  in  the  bloom  of  life,  and  in  the 
midst  of  his  usefulness.  He  died  in  1815,  universally  lament- 
ed. He  was  the  father  of  several  children,  and  his  death  was 
immediately  followed  by  that  of  his  wife;  thus  leaving  a  family 
of  helpless  orphans  to  lament  their  irreparable  loss.  There 
may  have  been  men  of  more  splendid  abilities;  but  few  who 
lived  more  in  devotion  to  the  duties  of  his  office. 


JOHN    ASHCUM    BILLINGSLEY.* 

John  A.  Billingsley  was  born  in  St.  Mary's  county,  Ma- 
ryland, April  24th,  1770.  He  was  the  only  son  of  Zachary 
Billingsley;  his  mother's  maiden  name  was  Ashcum.  He  re- 
moved to  Virginia  when  about  fourteen  years  old,  and  at  an 
early  age  married  Sally  Duerson,  daughter  of  Jos.  Duerson, 
of  Spotsylvania.  He  commenced  the  world  in  good  circum- 
stances, and,  though  liberal  to  a  fault,  continued  quite  inde- 
pendent through  life.  In  his  youthful  days,  he  was  a  devotee 
to  all  the  vain  amusements  of  a  giddy  world.  He  was  a  very 
witty  and  agreeable  young  man,  and  uncommonly  active;  hav- 
ing a  line  ear  for  music,  and  being  an  excellent   performer  on 

*  Prepared  by  Herndon  Frazer. 


416  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

the  violin,  he  was  always  a  welcome  visitor  in  the  ball  room, 
and  seldom  lost  an  opportunity  to  gratify  his  fondness  for  this 
amusement.  Horse  racing  and  card  playing  also  were  with 
him  favorite  indigencies.  Notwithstanding  his  zeal  in  his 
old  master's  service,  (as  he  frequently  called  the  devil,)  he  was 
never  charged  with  any  action  that  involved  a  compromise 
of  honor- 
In  this  round  of  folly  and  indiscretion,  thoughts  of  a  future 
state  would  sometimes  be  forced  upon  his  attention;  but  by 
mighty  efforts  to  resist  the  monitions  of  conscience,  he  lived 
in  pleasure,  (falsely  so  called,)  till  about  the  24th  year  of  his 
age,  when  an  incident  occurred  in  the  providence  of  God,  that 
completely  dissolved  the  charm  of  sinful  indulgence  by  which 
he  had  been  held.  He  happened  to  be  present  at  a  Baptist 
meeting,  held  by  Elder  Jeremiah  Chandler,  at  Mine  road  meet- 
ing-house: after  the  services  were  over,  Mr.  Henry  Pendleton, 
an  aged  member  of  the  church,  presented  himself  before  the 
congregation,  and  begged  an  interest  in  the  prayers  of  God's 
people.  He  had  always  looked  upon  Mr.  P.  as  one  of  the  best 
men  in  the  world,  and  concluded,  if  he  needed  the  suppli- 
cations of  God's  people,  that  his  own  situation  must  be  deplor- 
able indeed.  He  was  brought  down  an  humble  penitent  at  the 
foot  of  the  cross,  and  leaving  the  gallery  where  he  was  sitting, 
he  fearlessly  came  up  to  the  minister,  and  publicly  besought 
the  pious  to  remember  him  also  in  prayer.  His  distress  of  mind 
was  sore  indeed!  Looking  upon  himself  as  a  poor  lost  sinner, 
justly  condemned  by  the  law  of  God.  He  said,  he  saw  not 
how  God  could  be  just,  and  save  such  a  rebel;  and  so 
strong  was  his  regard  for  the  character  of  God,  that  he  could 
not  desire  his  own  salvation  at  the  expense  of  the  divine 
honor.  His  anguish  of  heart  continued  until  the  next  Lord's 
day,  when  he  was  enabled  to  believe  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  so  clear  were  his  views  of  the  character  and  offices  of  the 
Saviour,  that,  he  exclaimed,  if  he  had  ten  thousand  souls,  he 
would  resign  them  all  into  his  hands. 

From  this  moment   he  had   impressions  to  preach  the  un- 


JOHN    ASHCUM    BILLINGSLEY.  417 

searchable  riches  of  Christ  to  a  dying  world,  but  was  prevent- 
ed for  a  lono-  time  by  a  sense  of  his  unworthiness,  and  the  fear 
of  assuming  a  work  for  which  he  was  not  qualified.  He  was 
baptized  in  October,  1794,  by  Elder  Absalom  Waller;  united 
himself  with  the  church  at  Waller's,  and  became  a  very  ac- 
tive and  zealous  member,  lie  began  to  exercise  his  gift  in  ex- 
hortation, on  the  4th  July,  1808.  In  1810,  he  was  called  to 
take  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church  at  Zoar,  Orange  county, 
and  was  ordained  in  October  of  the  same  year.  After  the 
death  of  Elder  A.  Waller,  he  was  chosen  pastor  of  Waller's 
and  Elk  creek  churches,  and  after  the  removal  of  Elder  A.  M. 
Lewis  to  the  west,  he  became  pastor  of  the  churches  at  Coun- 
tyline  and  Bethany,  having  resigned  his  charge  at  Zoar  and 
Elk  creek.  It  was  also  through  his  efficiency  that  the  church 
at  Mount  Hermon,  in  the  upper  part  of  Spotsylvania,  was 
planted,  and  by  his  ministrations  it  was  watered  as  long  as  he 
was  able  to  travel.  The  last  time  he  visited  this  church,  which 
was  in  the  winter  previous  to  his  death,  he  was  in  very  feeble 
health,  but  his  physical  energies  appeared  not  to  give  way  un- 
der a  very  long  discourse.  He  was  much  emaciated  by  dis- 
ease; his  visage  thin  and  pale,  and  his  head  covered  with  a  cap. 
His  words  were  regarded  by  all  who  heard  him,  as  the  testi- 
mony of  a  dying  man.  He  declared  it  to  be  his  solemn  con- 
viction, that  that  would  be  the  last  time  he  should  ever  be  per- 
mitted to  address  that  church,  and  if  he  ever  felt  anxious  to  be 
faithful,  he  did  then.  He  took,  as  the  foundation  of  his  dis- 
course, the  letters  to  the  seven  churches  in  Asia,  as  contained 
in  the  2nd  and  3rd  chapters  of  Revelations,  warning  the  church 
against  the  errors  of  the  times,  among  which  he  classed  ''the 
views  of  Mr.  Alexander  Campbell;"  and  exhorted  them  to 
continue  in  "the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints."  Even 
after  he  was  unable  to  travel,  hearing  that  a  few  of  the  mem- 
hers  of  this  church  were  rather  inclined  to  subscribe  to  the 
views  of  Mr.  C.  he  wrote  a  long  pastoral  letter  to  the  church, 
urging  them  to  the  prompt  discharge  of  duty,  and  bearing  his 
marked  disapprobation  to  "the  (miscalled)  reformation." 
36 


418 


BIOGRAPHY    OP 


Elder  Billingsley  discharged  all  the  social  duties  incumbent 
upon  him  as  husband,  father,  master,  neighbor,  &c.  in  a  man- 
ner truly  exemplary.  He  was  a  man  of  God;  a  firm  believer 
in  the  efficacy  of  prayer,  and  oft  engaged  at  the  mercy  seat, 
in  behalf  of  himself  and  others.  His  father,  who  was  an  Epis- 
copalian by  profession,  was  brought  under  conviclion  for  sin, 
by  overhearing  him  at  prayer  in  secret  for  him.  He  was  a 
popular,  successful,  and  indefatigable  preacher.  Dr.  Scott 
once  told  him,  if  he  continued  to  travel  and  preach  so  much, 
it  would  certainly  kill  him.  He  replied,  he  could  not  die  in  a 
better  cause,  and  that  he  had  much  rather  wear  out,  than  rust 
out. 

Elder  B.  did  not  enjoy  the  benefits  of  classical  learning,  but 
possessed  a  good  English  education,  which  he  greatly  improv- 
ed by  subsequent  reading  and  study.  He  was  devoted  to  books; 
had  a  good  library,  and  when  not  engaged  in  his  duties  from 
home,  was  generally  found  with  a  book  in  his  hand.  Among 
uninspired  writers,  Fuller  and  Newton  were  favorite  authors 
with  him.  From  this  fact,  the  character  of  his  preaching  may 
be  known.  His  labors  were  greatly  blessed  at  various  periods 
of  his  ministerial  career — few  men  in  modern  times  have  been 
instrumental  in  the  conversion  of  more  sinners,  or  baptized 
more  believing  subjects.  His  praise  was  in  all  the  churches 
in  this  region  of  country,  as  an  evangelical  preacher;  a  man  of 
great  humility,  of  deep  toned  piety,  and  of  considerable  re- 
search in  scriptural  knowledge.  Notwithstanding,  he  always 
had  a  very  humble  opinion  of  his  own  performances,  particu- 
larly those  of  a  religious  character,  often  saying,  his  best  ser- 
vices had  need  to  be  washed  in  the  blood  of  Christ,  to  cleanse 
them  from  sin..  Elder  Billingsley  suffered  with  ill  health  for 
many  years  previous  to  his  death,  but  continued  to  preach  till 
a  few  months  before  his  departure.  His  bodily  strength  at 
length  failing  him,  he  was  compelled  to  take  his  bed.  But 
after  disease  had  wasted  his  body  to  a  mere  skeleton,  his  men- 
tal faculties  existed  in  all  their  vigor,  and  his  faith  in  the  ato- 
ning blood  of  Christ,  produced  joy  inexpressible  and  full  of 


JOHN    ASIICUM    BILLINGSLEY.  419 

glory.  Christ  and  his  cross  were  all  his  theme.  A  few  days 
previous  to  his  death,  on  perceiving  his  friends  weeping  around 
his  bedside,  he  reached  out  his  withered  arms,  and  put  them 
around  the  neck  of  one  of  his  daughters,  clasped  her  to  his 
breast,  and  said,  "My  dear,  do  not  weep  for  me!  do  not  grieve 
after  me!''  She  replied,  "we  weep  to  see  you  suffer  so  much;" 
he  said,  "Jesus  suffered  much  more  for  me;  it  will  soon  be 
over;"  he  clapped  his  hands  and  said,  "glory!  glory!  I  shall 
soon  be  at  home."  On  another  occasion,  when  a  singing 
master,  in  company  with  some  of  his  scholars,  paid  him  a 
visit,  he  said,  "I  shall  soon  sing  louder  than  any  of  you.  1 
hope  the  Lord  has  a  harp  laid  aside  for  me" 

A  clay  or  two  before  his  death,  he  observed  to  a  daughter, 
who  was  watching  by  his  bedside,  "Oh,  my  child,  I  have  been 
assaulted  by  some  fiery  darts  from  the  enemy — he  has  been 
trying  to  tempt  me  to  believe  that  if  I  were  a  child  of  God,  he 
would  not  permit  me  to  lie  here  and  suffer  so  long.  But  it  is  the 
enemy — for  it  is  ivritten — yes,  it  is  written,  man  shall  not  live 
by  bread  alone,  but  by  every  word  that  proceedeth  out  of  the 
mouth  of  God;  and  whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth,  and 
scourgeth  every  son  whom  he  receiveth.  No  wonder  the 
enemy  should  follow  me  down  to  the  grave,  for  he  contended 
for  the  body  of  Moses.  But  I  shall  yet  come  off  conqueror. 
I  believe  my  Saviour  is  now  walking  with  me  through  the  fur- 
nace, although  I  cannot  see  him."  He  often  said  he  was  a 
poor  unworthy  sinner,  but  trusted  he  had  a  kind  intercessor 
and  advocate  with  the  Father,  and  through  him  he  could  be 
accepted.  All  his  trust  was  in  him.  The  morning  he  died, 
he  said,  "I  feel  very  strange!  Can  this  be  death?  Can  I  be 
dying?''  One  of  his  daughters  said,  "Father,  you  are  not 
afraid  to  die?"  "No!  no!"  he  replied.  He  requested  that  all 
his  children  should  be  called  to  his  bed — then,  looking  up,  he 
said,  "O  death,  where  is  thy  sting?  I  hope  death — "  Here 
his  voice  failed  him,  but  he  clasped  his  hands,  and  was  heard 
to  articulate  faintly,  though  distinctly,  "rest!  rest!  rest!"  and 
closed  his  eyes  on  all  earthly  objects  on  the  1st  day  of  Au- 


420  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

gust,  1837,  in  the  sixty-eighth  year  of  his  age.  When  he 
died,  he  was  living  at  his  plantation  called  Salem,  in  Spotsyl- 
vania, near  Fredericksburg,  leaving  a  wife  and  nine  children, 
all  married  and  comfortably  settled  in  life,  and  all  members  of 
the  Baptist  church  save  one. 


RICHARD     CLAYBROOK 


As  Elder  Claybrook's  removal  from  the  scene  of  his 
earthly  labors  is  of  very  recent  dale,  many  hundreds,  now 
living,  are  perfectly  familiar  with  his  Christian  and  ministerial 
character.  And  doubtless  many  who  have  gone  before  him 
have  welcomed  him  into  everlasting  habitations. 

He  was  born  October  17th,  1785,  in  King  William.  In  this 
county  he  remained  until  his  25th  year,  when  he  became  a 
resident  of  Middlesex.  He  followed  the  occupation  of  a  farmer, 
in  the  prosecution  of  which  he  was  quite  successful,  and 
placed  himself  in  independent  circumstances.  Four  years 
after  his  settlement  in  Middlesex,  his  heart  was  brought  under 
the  softening  influence  of  the  spirit  of  God.  He  became  a 
new  creature  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  joyfully  hastened  to  put  him 
on  in  baptism.  In  the  fall  of  1814,  he  was  baptized  by  Elder 
Philip  T.  Montague,  and  attached  himself  to  the  Hermitage 
church,  of  which  James  Healy  was  pastor.  Unlike  many  who 
name  the  name  of  Christ,  he  not  only  departed  from  iniquity, 
but  engaged  actively  in  every  good  word  and  work.  A  few 
years  after  this  connexion,  Hermitage  church  was  left  desti- 
tute by  the  death  of  her  pastor.  This  circumstance  was  made 
of  God  the  instrument  of  leading  him  to  contemplate  the  great 
work  of  preaching  publicly  the  gospel.  The  church  encour- 
aged him  to  exercise  his  talents,  and,  after  a  suitable  trial,  he 
was  fully  inducted  into  the  ministerial  office.  This  occurred 
in  1823. 

He  was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  Hermitage  church,  and 
continued  in  thi3  sphere  of  labor  to   the  time  of  his  death. 


RICHAKfi    CLAYBROOK.  421 

Within  the  limits  of  this  church,  he  usually  occupied  two 
Lord's  days  in  each  month,  one  at  the  upper  church,  and  the 
other  at  Clark's  Neck;  he  also  preached  one  Sabhath  at  the 
old  church  at  King  and  Queen,  the  other  was  generally  occu- 
pied in  attending  protracted  and  other  meetings  in  the  adjacent 
counties.  In  the  labors  which  were  thus  assumed,  the  time 
was  most  diligently  employed.  He  became  eminently  popular 
among  all  classes  of  hearers,  and  by  his  brethren  was  much 
beloved.  In  the  edification  of  Christians,  his  ministry  was 
much  blessed,  as  well  as  in  the  conversion  of  sinners. 

In  1931,  he  was  invited  to  the  charge  of  Bruington  church, 
King  and  Queen  county,  which  invitation  he  accepted.  This 
church  had  enjoyed  the  personal  labors  of  that  venerated  ser- 
vant of  God,  Elder  Robert  B.  Semple,  for  a  series  of  years, 
To  succeed  such  a  man,  required  no  small  share  of  talent  and 
pi  sty,  and  it  is  an  evidence  of  the  high  estimation  in  which 
Elder  Claybrook  was  held,  to  be  called  to  this  station.  He 
continued  to  preach  for  the  church  at  Bruington,  as  long  as  he 
lived.  There  was  in  many  respects  a  striking  similarity  be- 
tween himself  and  his  predecessor,  and  he  enjoyed,  to  con- 
siderable extent,  the  same  confidence  and  regard. 

It  has  been  already  stated,  that  he  employed  a  portion  of  his 
time  in  laboring  for  other  churches.  It  was  the  delight  of  his 
heart  to  preach  the  gospel;  and  perhaps  no  man  was  ever 
more  cordially  received  and  heard  in  the  several  neighborhoods 
he  visited.  Nor  was  the  favorable  attention  he  received,  the 
mere  empty  praise,  which  frequently  follows  the  man  of  showy 
but  superficial  talents.  He  was  not  only  admired,  but  loved, 
because  in  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity,  he  sought  to  do  the 
people  good.  A  brief  survey  of  his  character,  as  a  Christian 
and  a  minister,  will  show  how  far  the  confidence  reposed  in 
him  was  merited. 

He  was,  pre-eminently,  "a  good   man."     What  he  was  in 
public,  he  was   also   in    the   retirement  of  domestic  life.     He 
loved   his  divine  Master,  and  served  him  with  unfeigned  faith- 
fulness.   It  was  evident  wherever  he  was  seen,  that  he  delighted 
36* 


422  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

in  the  law  of  the  Lord.  He  was  a  regular  and  careful  reader 
of  the  sacred  volume,  and  particularly  conscientious  in  regard- 
ing all  its  precepts.  He  was  remarkable  for  his  unaffected 
simplicity  of  manners,  and  amiability  of  disposition.  In  his 
dress  he  was  plain,  his  chief  adornment  was  that  of  a  meek 
and  quiet  spirit. 

He  was  an  able  minister  of  the  New  Testament.  With  a 
mind  naturally  strong,  he  was  capable  of  originating  ideas,  and 
presenting  them  in  an  interesting  shape.  His  education  was 
slender,  and  although  more  than  thirty -five  years  of  age,  when 
he  entered  upon  the  ministry,  he  devoted  himself  diligently  to 
a  course  of  study,  and  acquired  extensive  information,  espe- 
cially on  theological  subjects.  He  was  an  interesting  speaker. 
There  was  perhaps  too  much  carelessness  of  style,  but  his 
sermons  were  full  of  thought.  There  were  sometimes  in  his 
discourses,  a  richness  and  sublimity  which  astonished  all  who 
heard  him.  On  such  occasions,  no  one  could  listen  to  him 
without  being  convinced,  that  the  speaker  was  giving  utter- 
ance to  thoughts,  originating  in  the  magnitude  and  importance 
of  the  subject  itself.  He  was  only  giving  vent  to  the  fullness 
of  a  heart,  in  which  had  been  richly  shed  abroad  the  love  of 
Christ.  While  he  exhibited  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  illus- 
trating them  with  clearness;  his  design  was  not  to  amuse,  but 
improve  his  hearers.  He  sought,  by  manifestation  of  the  truth', 
to  commend  himself  to  every  man's  conscience  in  the  sight  of 
God.  His  appeals  to  the  congregation  were  often  of  the  most 
pungent  character.  He  warned  the  wicked  to  flee  the  wrath 
to  come,  while  he  urged  his  brethren  to  engage  in  every  good 
word  and  work. 

He  was  a  friend  to  every  object  that  promised  to  be  the 
means  of  doing  good.  His  principles  were  drawn  from  the 
school  of  Christ,  and  the  benevolence  of  those  principles 
prompted  him  to  rejoice  in  all  plans  which  tended,  in  any  mea- 
sure, to  advance  the  kingdom  and  glory  of  God.  Though 
himself  an  uneducated  man,  he  took  a  lively  interest  in  the 
rise  and  progress  of  the   Virginia  Baptist   Education   Society. 


RICHARD    CLAYBROOK.  423 

Liberal  contributions  were  furnisbed  by  him,  and  all  his  influ- 
ence was  employed  to  sustain  the  rising  seminary,  located  in 
the  vicinity  of  Richmond.  It  aflbrded  him  the  sincerest  grati- 
fication to  see  others  enjoying  advantages,  which  he  had  been 
denied. 

The  temperance  cause  found  in  him  an  active  and  able  de- 
fender. The  following  anecdote,  as  related  by  a  ministering 
brother  will  illustrate  the  characteristic  consistency  of  this  man 
of  God:  "Passing  through  Middlesex,  in  the  summer  of '27  or 
'28,  I  was  kindly  invited  by  brother  C.  to  spend  a  night  at  his 
house.  The  temperance  cause  was  then  in  its  infancy,  in  that 
region.  The  evening  was  mild  and  pleasant:  we  were  sitting  in 
the  porch,  in  full  view  of  a  luxuriant  orchard,  that  spread  all 
around  us  in  richness  and  beauty.  This  sight,  together  with 
the  fact,  that  the  temperance  question  was  then  in  some  degree 
new,  naturally  led  us  to  make  the  distillation  and  common  use 
of  brandy,  the  subject  of  our  conversation.  In  the  course  of 
our  remarks,  Elder  C.  observed  to  me,  that  he  was,  at  first,  not 
very  friendly  to  the  temperance  cause,  or  at  least  not  to  the 
total  abstinence  principle — that  he  looked  upon  the  proposed 
reformation,  by  means  of  societies,  as  altogether  visionary. 
Many  other  good  men  were  once  of  the  same  way  of  thinking. 
'But,' said  this  man  of  God,  to  me,  'I  was  recently  cured  of  my 
opposition,  by  this  circumstance:  there  was  a  member  of  our 
church,  who,  though  in  other  respects,  a  good  and  orderly  man, 
was  in  the  habit  of  occasionally  drinking  too  much.  The  dea- 
cons, and  perhaps  some  other  brethren,  had  talked  with  him 
on  the  sin  and  danger  of  his  conduct,  but  without  any  perma- 
nently good  result.  His  conduct  was  about  to  be  made  a  mat- 
ter of  discipline.  But  I  concluded  that  I  would  myself,  as  pas- 
tor of  the  church,  make  an  effort  to  reclaim  him,  before  the 
case  was  acted  on  publicly.  I  accordingly  sought  and  obtained 
an  interview  with  him.  He  confessed  his  fault,  appeared  peni- 
tent, and  promised  to  do  better — to  drink  less  in  future.  I 
advised  him  to  quit  entirely,  as  the  only  hope  of  a  permanent 
reformation.  'But,'  said  he  to  me,  'brother  Claybrook,  don't  you 


424  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

ever  drink  any?'  Very  little,  said  I;  I  take  a  julep  in  the 
morning,  with  my  family,  and  a  little  toddy  before  dinner. 
'Well,  brother  Claybrook,'  said  he,  'how  much  do  you  drink  a 
day,  on  an  average?'  Why,  I  don't  know,  said  I,  perhaps  I  may 
use  a  half  gill  or  so.  'Well,  really,'  said  he,  'that  is  more  than 
I  drink.  If  I  were  to  drink  that  much,  I  should  be  drunk  all 
day  long;  your  constitution  may  not  be  so  easily  affected  by  it; 
but,  brother  Claybrook,  you  drink  more  spirit  than  I  do.'  'I 
felt,'  continued  Elder  C.  to  me, 'so  mortified,  so  condemned,  to 
think  that  I  was  censuring  in  him  a  course  of  conduct  which 
I  myself  pursued,  and  that  I  was  advising  to  do  wbat  I  was  not 
doing,  that  from  that  moment  I  determined  to  use  no  more  my- 
self, nor  allow  its  use  in  my  family.  I  have  there,'  pointing  to 
his  orchard,  'fruit  enough  to  make  some  hundred  gallons  of 
brandy,  and  was  about  making  some  preparations  to  distil  it,  but 
I  shall  not  make  a  drop.  For,  though  I  have  experienced  no  in- 
convenience myself  from  the  use  of  spirit,  yet  I  am  determined, 
so  far  as  my  influence  is  concerned,  utterly  to  discountenance 
making,  selling  or  using  it,  unless  purely  for  medical  purposes.' 

"His  still,  he  told  me,  might  sell  to  advantage,  but  as  that 
would  be  indirectly  to  encourage  the  making  of  spirit,  he  in- 
tended to  have  it  converted  into  culinary  utensils. 

"The  stand  which  he  uniformly  took  in  the  cause  of  temper- 
ance, evinced  his  sincerity  in  the  determination  he  had  formed. 
Comment  is  unnecessary.  There  may  be,  even  at  this  late 
day,  some  brethren,  yea,  even  some  preachers,  who  would  do 
themselves,  and  the  cause  of  truth  no  harm,  by  taking  a  hint 
from  this  anecdote.'' 

There  is  one  particular,  in  which,  while  the  disinterestedness 
of  Elder  Claybrook  is  manifest,  there  is  seen  also  a  delicacy  as 
injurious  as  it  is  unscriptural;  this  was  his  unwillingness  to 
urge  on  his  brethren  the  duty  of  ministerial  support.  He 
thought  many  of  them  remiss  in  this  respect,  and  referred  ra- 
ther confidentially  to  ministering  brethren,  to  this  defect.  And 
yet,  lest  he  should  be  thought  to  indulge  improper  motives,  he 
never  allowed    himself  to  speak  publicly  on  this   subject.     On 


RICHARD    CLAYBROOK.  425 

one  occasion,  when  a  brother  who  expected  to  preach  within 
the  limits  of  his  pastoral  labor,  expressed  his  intention  to  ad- 
vert to  this  duty,  he  was  besought  by  Elder  Claybrook  to  pass 
it  by  without  notice.  Such  a  course  indeed,  exempted  Elder 
Claybrook  from  the  censure  of  men  influenced  by  covetous 
motives,  but  was  by  no  means  consonant  with  the  directions 
and  example  of  the  apostle  Paul.  Some  extenuation  may  in- 
deed be  found  in  the  peculiar  circumstances  by  which  the 
early  Baptists  in  Virginia  were  surrounded.  But  the  minis- 
ter of  Christ  should  declare  all  the  counsel  of  God,  however 
unpopular  it  may  render  him.  Since  it  is  the  ordination  of 
God,  that  they  who  preach  the  gospel  should  live  of  the  gospel, 
this  subject  in  a  proper  spirit  should  be  clearly  preached  to  the 
churches.  At  the  same  time,  every  pastor,  by  his  whole  life, 
should  prove  himself  to  be  above  the  low  principle  of  covetous- 
ness  in  discharging  this  duty. 

The  following  allusion  to  this  eminent  servant  of  Christ,  from 
the  pen  of  Elder  George  Northam,  of  Middlesex  county,  will 
be  interesting  to  all  the  readers  of  this  memoir: — ''Having 
been  well  acquainted  with  Elder  Claybrook,  and  much  with 
him  during  his  public  ministry,  I  may  say,  he  possessed  natur- 
ally a  vigorous  and  penetrating  mind,  a  retentive  memory,  and 
an  unusual  share  of  good  sense.  His  education  was  such  as 
was  generally  obtained  in  the  common  country  school  during 
his  youth,  he  made  a  very  good  use  of  it,  and  was  the  warm 
friend  of  an  enlightened  ministry.  I  have  frequently  heard 
him  say,  that  many  advocated  it  because  they  possessed  it,  and 
therefore  knew  its  advantages,  but  he  vindicated  it  because  he 
knew  the  want  of  it.  After  he  commenced  preaching,  few 
men,  perhaps  studied  more  intensely  than  he  did.  But  being 
far  advanced  in  life,  its  studies  were  not  so  much  directed  to- 
wards the  improvement  of  his  education,  as  towards  acquiring 
a  general  knowledge  of  the  sacred  volume,  in  which  he  suc- 
ceeded beyond  many  who  far  surpassed  him  in  literary  attain- 
ments. Being  naturally  fond  of  reading,  and  habitually  indus- 
trious, he  read  much  on  theology  to  great  advantage, 


426  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

"Although  his  preaching  was  not  with  enticing  words  of 
man's  wisdom,  yet  it  was  scriptural,  spiritual,  solemn,  and  im- 
pressive. His  peculiar  simplicity  and  earnestness  so  much  en- 
gaged and  riveted  the  attention  of  the  audience,  that  they  had 
but  little  time  or  disposition  to  attend  to  his  style.  They  were 
constantly  kept,  either  gazing  at  the  humble  man  of  God  before 
their  vision,  or  listening  to  his  prominent  descriptions  of  the 
wicked,  and  of  the  Christian  character.  He  generally  sustained 
his  positions  by  plain  and  strong  arguments,  and  by  passages  of 
holy  writ.  His  illustrations,  though  sometimes,  perhaps,  a 
little  offensive  to  the  delicate  ear,  were  nevertheless  well  ap- 
plied. The  responsibility  of  sinners — faith,  repentance,  salva- 
tion through  the  Saviour,  a  holy  and  pious  life,  and  activity  in 
every  good  work,  were  the  themes  on  which  he  mostly  dwelt, 
in  the  pulpit;  nor  did  he  press  one  of  these  subjects  so  far,  as 
to  lessen  the  claims,  or  hide  the  necessity  of  another;  but  at- 
tached to  each  its  respective  importance.  No  persons,  it  is 
presumed,  ever  became  better  pleased  with  themselves,  and 
their  own  inherent  goodness,  by  his  preaching;  but  many,  it  is 
hoped  and  believed,  have  become  more  pleased  with  Christ  and 
his  merits. 

"His  unassuming  manners,  his  uniform  and  exemplary  piety, 
not  only  commended  him  to  all  with  whom  he  was  acquainted, 
but  placed  him  above  the  reach  of  reproach  by  his  enemies — 
if  it  were  possible  for  such  a  man  to  have  any.  Perhaps  no 
man,  in  his  day,  excelled  him  in  prudence,  candor,  and  punc- 
tuality. Bible,  missionary,  temperance,  and  education  socie- 
ties, found  in  him  a  warm  friend  and  advocate — not  only  in 
theory,  but  in  practice.  The  primary  object  at  which  he  seemed 
constantly  to  aim,  was  not  to  be  great  and  splendid,  but  to  be 
good  and  useful.'' 

His  ministerial  career  was  comparatively  short;  but  when 
summoned  away  by  death,  he  was  not  unprepared.  He  had 
indeed  habitually  lived  with  his '-loins  girt  about,"  and  his  light 
burning.  When  in  perfect  health,  he  would  frequently  speak 
in  the  most  familiar  and  cheerful  manner  of  death  and  the  fu- 


RICHARD    CLAYBROOK.  427 

ture  world.  "If  I  am  not  called  home,  I  may  be  with  you," 
was  a  common  reply,  when  pressed  to  attend  distant  meetings. 
He  was  attacked  with  pleurisy,  November  23d,  1834;  and  from 
the  first,  but  little  hope  was  entertained  of  his  recovery.  The 
subjoined  letter,  from  one  of  the  members  of  his  church,  was 
written  shortly  after  his  death: — "It  is  with  emotions  of  sincere 
regret,"  says  he,  "I  have  to  apprise  you  of  the  death  of  our 
much  beloved  brother,  Richard  Claybrook.  He  closed  his 
earthly  pilgrimage  on  the  4th  instant,  at  eight  o'clock,  P.  M.,  in 
the  fiftieth  year  of  his  age,  after  an  illness  of  eleven  days, 
which  he  bore  with  great  patience  and  resignation.  He  evinced 
from  the  first  a  strong  preference  to  change  worlds,  if  consist- 
ent with  the  will  of  God.  He  gave  numerous  evidences  of  his 
free  and  unshaken  confidence  in  the  Redeemer.  A  few  hours 
before  his  dissolution,  he  remarked  to  a  member  of  one  of  the 
churches  of  which  he  was  pastor,  that  he  loved  every  member 
of  the  church,  and  if  it  was  the  will  of  God  for  him  to  remain, 
he  had  no  objection;  but  for  him  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ, 
would  be  far  better.  To  another  brother,  he  said,  that  he  had 
been  running  all  his  life  for  a  sure  prize,  and  that  Jesus  Christ 
could  not  tell  a  lie.  He  observed,  that  no  one  knew  the  suffer- 
ings of  a  dying  man,  which  he  was  then  experiencing;  at  the 
same  time  appeared  to  draw  comfort  from  the  sentiment  of  the 
apostle,  that  the  sufferings  of  the  present  time  are  not  worthy 
to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  should  be  revealed  here- 
after. When  told  that  he  was  sinking,  (in  compliance  with  a 
wish  expressed  by  him  in  the  early  stage  of  the  disease,)  and 
asked  whether  he  felt  any  disposition  to  lengthen  out  his  stay 
here,  he  promptly  replied,  'No:  not  for  one  hour.'  It  was  said 
by  an  irreligious  gentleman,  who  was  present,  that  amid  the 
whole  weeping  group  that  surrounded  him  during  his  last  hours, 
there  seemed  to  be  but  one  who  was  cheerful,  and  that  was 
Mr.  Claybrook.  It  was  his  special  request  that  no  funeral 
sermon  be  preached;  that  four  of  his  brethren,  whom  he  named, 
should  carry  his  body  to  the  grave;  that  two  hymns,  which  he 
selected,  be  sung,  one  going  to  the  grave,  the  other  returning; 


428  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

and  that  the  service  be  concluded  by  prayer.  The  first  hymn 
was,  'Farewell,  vain  world,  I'm  going  home;'  and  the  second, 
'While  sorrows  encompass  me  round.'  He  also  requested,  on 
his  death-bed,  that  nothing  relative  to  his  death,  be  published; 
but  on  being  told  by  some  friends  present,  that  something  would 
be,  he  said,  if  you  do,  let  it  be  nothing  more  than,  a  poor  sin- 
ner saved  by  grace." 

Another  minister  in  furnishing  a  tribute  to  his  memory,  when 
he  heard  of  his  death,  says,  "By  a  letter  received  from  King 
and  Queen,  I  am  informed  of  the  recent  death  of  our  beloved 
brother,  the  Rev.  Richard  Claybrook.  He  fell  a  victim  to  his 
uniform  zeal  in  the  cause  of  Christ.  By  exposure  to  some  of 
those  inclement  rains  which  fell  on  several  Sabbaths  in  the  fall, 
he  contracted  a  pleurisy  which  resulted  in  his  death.  He  was 
a  plain,  warm-hearted,  old  fashioned  Virginia  preacher,  of 
strong  native  intellect,  in  the  scriptures  well  informed — of  the 
most  affectionate  temper,  of  the  most  unobtrusive  but  steady 
and  consistent  zeal,  he  was  an  example  to  believers,  in  word, 
in  conversation,  in  charity,  in  spirit,  in  faith,  in  purity.  He 
had  a  good  report  of  them  that  are  without,  and  was  ardently 
loved  by  those  that  are  within.  The  church  in  Bruington 
have  thus,  within  a  short  time,  been  deprived  of  two  inval- 
uable men — Semple  and  Claybrook." 


W  I  LLI  M    A,    WOOD 


Elder  William  A.  Wood  was  born  in  Fluvanna  county, 
Virginia,  February  8th,  1769.  Before  he  was  three  years  old 
his  father  died,  leaving  him  and  four  other  children,  of  whom 
he  was  the  youngest,  to  the  care  of  their  widowed  mother. 
Those  who  have  attended  to  the  prominent  events  connected 
with  the  history  of  our  country,  will  remember  that  his  youth- 
ful years  embraced  a  period,  the  circumstances  of  which,  form 

*By  Elder  William  C.  Ligon. 


WILLIAM    A.    WOOD.  429 

a  very  prominent  link  in  the  chain  of  events,  that  terminated 
in  the  acknowledgment  of  American  independence.  To  this 
the  deceased  attributed  the  almost  necessary  neglect  of  his 
early  education.  The  rich  patriot  found  it  difficult  to  afford 
the  advantages  of  education  to  his  rising  progeny,  and  the  poor, 
though  so  disposed,  found  it  utterly  impossible.  Among  the 
latter  was  the  mother  of  Mr.  Wood,  and  he  was  consequently 
deprived  of  the  means  of  acquiring  the  most  ordinary  educa- 
tion. A  portion  of  his  youthful  energies  were  spent  in  the  ser- 
vice of  his  country,  and  for  three  years  during  the  war  of  the 
revolution,  he  was  employed  in  guarding  military  stores  in  the 
vicinity  of  his  mother's  residence. 

The  scanty  intervals  of  leisure  which  he  could  control,  when 
in  maturer  years  he  was  engaged  as  an  apprentice  to  the  shoe 
and  boot  making  business,  were  directed  to  the  pursuit  of 
knowledge,  and  he  thus  succeeded  in  making  himselfacquaint- 
ed  with  the  rudiments  of  reading,  writing,  and  plain  arithmet- 
ic. In  1801,  he  married  Frances  Saunders,  a  native  of  the 
same  county. 

Fraternal  affection  bound  him  to  the  place  of  his  nativity, 
nor  did  he  relinquish  the  care  of  his  widowed  mother,  until 
her  death.  In  1810,  he  sold  his  patrimony,  and  moved  with 
his  rising  family  to  the  county  of  Kenhawa,  of  which  he  was 
a  resident  at  the  time  of  his  death.  His  moral  deportment  was 
highly  commendable  before  he  made  any  "pretensions  to  vital 
godliness,  having  been  influenced  by  the  precept  and  example 
of  a  godly  mother,  who  sustained  the  character  of  a  pious 
member  of  the  Baptist  church  for  many  years.  In  1813,  or 
'1  1,  the  typhus  fever  prevailed  to  an  alarming  and  fatal  extent 
in  the  vicinity  of  his  residence,  and  he  was  one  of  the  compara- 
tively few  who  survived  an  attack  of  that  disease.  This  he 
afterwards  recognized  as  the  disciplinary  providence,  which 
admonished  him  of  the  necessity  of  immediate  preparation  for 
death  and  judgment.  He  saw  that  the  slighted  mercy  of  God 
had  signally  interposed  in  his  behalf,  and  snatched  him  from 
the  jaws  of  death,  while  others  had  fallen  victims  to  the  same 
37 


430  BIOGRAFHY    OP 

disease.  This  reflection  wrought  in  him  deep  and  pungent 
convictions  of  his  guilt;  and  an  abiding  sense  of  the  ingrati- 
tude of  his  whole  life  so  fastened  upon  his  mind,  as  not  only  to 
create  bitter  remorse,  and  self-loathing  for  past  offences;  but 
bereft  him  of  all  hope  of  pardon,  save  from  the  superabound- 
ing  goodness  of  God,  communicated  through  the  atoning  merits 
of  Jesus  Christ. 

Shortly  after  he  had  experienced  a  sense  of  pardon,  he  es- 
tablished the  worship  of  God  in  his  family,  in  which  hesteadily 
persisted.  He  is  said  to  have  labored  under  some  difficulties 
on  the  subject  of  Baptism,  which  were  removed,  as  the  result 
of  a  prayerful  examination  of  the  New  Testament.  Thus  hav- 
ing the  way  of  duty  made  plain,  he  presented  himself  as  a  can- 
didate for  this  initiatory  ordinance,  to  the  Baptist  church, 
which  worshipped  at  the  upper  falls  of  Coal  river,  and  was 
baptized  in  1815.  He  was  considered  at  the  time,  a  valuable 
accession  to  the  church,  and  his  subsequent  usefulness  proved 
the  correctness  of  the  opinion. 

Immediately  after  his  baptism,  he  established  neighborhood 
prayer  meetings,  in  which  he  would  occasionally  invite  an  aged 
and  pious  colored  brother  to  participate.  God  owned  and 
blessed  his  efforts,  and  in  the  course  of  a  year,  many  were 
hopefully  converted  and  added  to  the  church.  He  was  licens- 
ed as  a  probationer  for  the  gospel  ministry,  in  June,  1816,  in 
which  character  he  preached  until  August,  1819,  and  was 
then  ordained  by  Elders  Lee,  Newman,  and  Young.  His  in- 
fluence was  extensively  felt  and  profitably  exercised  within  the 
bounds  of  the  Teays'  Valley  Association,  to  winch  his  labors 
were  principally  confined.  Several  of  the  churches  of  that 
body,  were  brought  into  existence  through  his  instrumentality, 
and  perhaps  not  one  of  its  constituent  members  'failed  to  de- 
rive some  benefit  from  his  labors.  Some  time  in  January, 
1833,  he  was  confined  from  what  was  thought  to  be  a  rheu- 
matic affection,  located  in  one  of  his  legs,  and  although  the 
pain  it  produced  was  frequently  excruciating,  yet  it  was  not 
attended  with  any  alarming  symptoms,  until  a  few  hours  before 


LUTIir.Il    RICE.  431 

his  Heath.  On  the  17th  of  February,  1833,  while  at  breakfast 
with  his  family,  he  was  taken  suddenly  ill,  and  for  a  short 
time  deprived  of  the  power  of  articulation.  Alter  having  re- 
covered  a  little,  he  calmly  advised  the  family  of  his  approach- 
ing dissolution,  gave  suitable  admonitions  to  his  younger  child- 
ren; requested  his  two  eldest  sons  to  attend  immediately  to 
the  equitable  adjustment  of  his  estate;  and  having  thus  briefly 
set  his  house  in  order,  exclaimed,  "God  lake  my  soul!  my 
Lord  and  my  God!"  and  calmly  sunk  to  rest,  having  passed 
the  sixty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  but  nine  days. 

As  a  preacher,  Elder  Wood  was  plain  and  practical;  his  ar- 
gumentsand  illustrations  were  deduced  almost  exclusively  from 
the  bible,  while  his  general  deportment  gave  conclusive  evi- 
dence that  he  drank  deeply  of  the  spirit  of  that  inimitable  book; 
the  numerous  quotations  which  he  invariably  employed  in  his 
sermons,  afforded  evidence  no  less  conclusive,  that  he  had  suc- 
cessfully labored  to  imprint  the  word  indelibly  upon  his  mem- 
ory. He  not  only  possessed  the  confidence  of  his  brethren, 
and  as  the  result  of  their  choice,  officiated  as  moderator  of  the 
association  for  several  years  before  his  death,  but  no  man  had 
a  better  report  from  those  that  were  without.  His  piety  was 
steady  and  commanding,  not  breaking  forth  with  occasional 
lustre,  and  then  shining  dimly  for  a  season,  but  he  held  on  the 
even  tenor  of  his  way.  Elder  Wood  did  not  live  to  identify 
himself  with  either  of  the  parties  which  have  since  existed  in 
the  association,  for,  and  against  the  benevolent  operations  of  the 
day;  but  he  has  left  behind  him  a  family  who  have  warmly 
espoused  the  various  institutions,  which  have  been  signally 
blessed  of  God  in  the  melioration  of  so  many  of  our  sinful  race. 


LUTHER     RICE 


A  mournful  satisfaction  is  indulged   by  the  biographer  in 
surveying  the   history  of  him  who  forms  the  subject  of  thia 


432  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

sketch.  It  has  been  thought  suitable  to  place  his  name  among 
those  whose  energies  were  devoted  to  the  cause  of  Christ  in 
Virginia:  as  he  was  deeply  interested  in  all  our  institutions, 
and  felt  himself  in  a  measure  identified  with  them.  Nothing 
like  an  extended  biography  will  be  attempted,  as  the  limits  of 
this  work  will  not  allow  due  justice  to  be  done  to  his  merits, 
and  especially  as  it  will  be  superceded  by  a  memoir  in  a 
separate  volume,  which  at  some  future  period  will,  it  is  hoped, 
be  placed  before  the  public.  Such  a  volume  would  contain  a 
rich  collection  of  facts  deserving  a  place  in  the  library  of 
every  American  Baptist. 

Luther  Rice  was  born  in  Northborough,  Worcester  county, 
Massachusetts.  From  earliest  youth,  he  was  distinguished 
for  love  of  study,  and  the  same  indomitable  perseverance  in 
the  prosecution  of  favorite  objects  which  characterised  him  in 
all  after  life.  It  was  soon  discovered  that  he  possessed  a  mind 
of  no  common  order,  and  the  best  facilities  were  allowed  by 
his  parents  for  its  cultivation.  While  prosecuting  his  prepar- 
atory studies,  it  pleased  God  to  reveal  his  Son  in  him,  and  to 
make  him  an  heir  of  eternal  life.  He  became  a  member  of 
the  Congregational  church,  and  at  once  was  recognized  among 
the  most  exemplary  and  active  of  the  Lord's  servants.  When- 
ever he  could  find  an  opportunity  of  meeting  the  people  of 
God  for  prayer  or  conference,  it  was  embraced  with  joy,  and 
soon  he  was  invited  to  lead  in  public  religious  exercises.  Feel- 
ing it  to  be  an  imperative  duty  to  devote  his  life  to  the  minis- 
try, and  desirous  to  obtain  a  thorough  education,  he  entered  Wil- 
liam college  in  1807.  During  his  stay  at  this  institution,  h 
was  not  only  a  diligent  and  successful  student,  but  specially 
devoted  to  God.  A  portion  of  his  time  was  regularly  em- 
ployed in  attending  meetings  for  the  benefit  of  persons  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  college.  It  has  been  frequently  stated  by  a 
member  of  the  family  in  which  he  boarded,  that  he  was  re- 
garded by  all  as  an  eminently  holy  man,  maintaining  habits  of 
intimate  communion  with  God,  and  giving  promise  of  extended 
usefulness  among  his  fellow  men.     It  was  during  his  collegiate 


LUTUER    RICE.  433 

course,  and  indeed  soon  after  his  entrance  into  the  college, 
that  his  attention  was  drawn  to  the  subject  of  missions.  Sa- 
muel G.  Mills  and  he,  with  one  or  two  other  students,  resolved 
to  embrace  the  first  opportunity  of  going  to  the  heathen.  At 
the  same  time,  among  the  students  at  Andover,  one  of  whom 
was  Andouiram  Judson,  were  three  or  four  who  were  meditat- 
ing the  consecration  of  themselves  to  the  cause  of  missions. 

In  1810,  Mr.  Rice  united  with  five  of  his  brethren  in  ad- 
dressing the  General  Association  of  Massachusetts,  explaining 
their  own  views  and  feelings,  and  requesting  the  advice  of 
their  more  experienced  fathers.  After  the  paper  was  prepared, 
his  name  with  one  other  was  withdrawn,  lest  the  churches 
should  be  deterred  from  action,  by  the  number  who  desired  to 
be  sent  abroad.  Their  application  at  first  excited  among 
many  the  charge  of  rashness  and  fanaticism,  and  met  decided 
repulse.  But  they  had  counted  the  cost  and  were  not  to  be 
withstood  in  their  purpose  to  preach  among  the  heathen  the 
unsearchable  riches  of  Christ,  After  the  delay  of  some  months, 
they  received  an  appointment  to  labor  in  Burmah,  from  the 
American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  a 
society  which  had  a  few  months  before  been  organized.  On 
the  6th  of  February,  1812,  the  subject  of  this  memoir  was 
ordained  to  the  work  of  a  missionary,  in  the  Tabernacle 
church  in  Salem.  A  few  days  after,  in  company  with  Mr. 
Hall,  Mr.  Nott  and  lady,  he  sailed  from  Philadelphia  to  Cal- 
cutta. On  the  next  day,  Messrs.  Judson  and  Newell  with 
their  wives,  sailed  for  the  same  place  from  Salem. 

An  event  will  now  be  recorded,  which,  considered  in  all  its 
singular  coincidences  and  powerful  results,  was  evidently 
under  the  special  direction  of  the  great  Head  of  the  church. 
We  refer  to  the  change  of  sentiment  underwent  by  three  of 
this  noble  band  on  the  subject  of  baptism.  All  their  early 
habits  of  thought  and  association,  and  every  feeling  of  interest 
uttered  a  voice  in  opposition  to  this  step.  They  were  entire 
strangers  to  the  Baptist  denomination,  and  as  yet  they  could 
reasonably  expect  but  little  support  from  them  in  carrying  on 
37* 


434  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

the  missionary  enterprise.  But  the  mandate  of  their  ascended 
Saviour  was  with  them  sufficient  to  determine  their  course. 
What  in  this  circumstance  was  especially  remarkable,  appears 
in  the  fact,  that  while  Mr.  Judson  on  his  voyage  was  examin- 
ing the  subject  of  baptism,  Mr.  Rice  in  another  vessel,  with- 
out any  previous  concert,  was  engaged  in  the  same  process  of 
investigation. 

Referring  to  this  circumstance,  Dr.  Carey  remarks,  "Brother 
Rice  was,  on  the  voyage,  thought  by  our  brethren  to  be  the 
most  obstinate  friend  of  pedobaptism  of  any  of  our  missiona- 
ries. I  cannot  tell  what  has  led  to  this  change  of  sentiment,  nor 
had  1  any  suspicion  of  it,  till  one  morning  when  he  came  be- 
fore I  was  up,  to  examine  my  Greek  Testament:  from  some 
questions  which  he  asked  that  morning,  I  began  to  suspect 
that  he  was  inquiring;  but  I  yesterday  heard  that  he  was  de- 
cidedly on  the  side  of  believers'  baptism.  I  expect,  therefore, 
that  he  will  soon  be  baptized.''  On  the  1st  of  November  he 
was  buried  with  Christ  by  baptism,  in  the  city  of  Calcutta. 
Mr.  Judson  and   lady  having  previously  taken  the  same  step. 

Thus  for  conscience  sake,  they  were  separated  from  those 
on  whom  they  were  dependent  for  support,  and  it  was  deter- 
mined that  Mr.  Rice  should  return  to  America  for  the  purpose 
of  bringing  the  interest  of  pagan  nations  before  the  attention 
of  the  Baptist  denomination.  He  sailed  for  this  country  in 
March,  1813.  Upon  his  arrival,  he  visited  a  large  number  of 
churches,  and  succeeded  in  awakening  a  lively  concern  for 
the  perishing  heathen.  Numerous  missionary  societies  were 
organized,  chiefly  by  his  direct  instrumentality,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1814,  the  Baptist  General  Convention  was  formed. 

Although  he,  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judson,  were  at  once  ap- 
pointed by  the  Convention  as  their  missionaries,  it  was  deemed 
advisable  that  Mr.  Rice  should  remain  in  the  United  States  for 
the  purpose  of  forming  auxiliary  societies,  and  creating  a  per- 
manent interest  in  the  mission  throughout  the  entire  denomi- 
nation. Accordingly,  he  visited  almost  every  part  of  the 
union,  and  was  successful  beyond   the  most  sanguine  expecta- 


LUTHER   RICE.  435 

tions  of  the  board.  He  continued  to  prosecute  the  duties  of 
his  agency  for  several  years,  and  nothing  could  exceed  his 
ardor  and  enterprise  in  this  his  favorite  employ.  No  sur- 
mountable impediments  were  allowed  to  obstruct  his  course, 
no  privations  or  sufferings  were  regarded  while  he  could  in 
any  way  promote  the  cause  of  his  Master. 

The  following  extract  from  one  of  his  annual  reports  will 
furnish  a  correct  specimen  of  his  feelings  and  habits  while  en- 
gaged in  this  agency. 

"Since  the  date  of  my  letter  of  the  19th  of  June,  1816, 1 
have  travelled  6,600  miles — in  populous  and  in  dreary  portions 
of  country — through  wildernesses  and  over  rivers — across 
mountains  and  valleys — in  heat  and  cold — by  day  and  by  night 
— in  weariness,  and  painfulness,  and  fastings,  and  loneliness; 
but  not  a  moment  has  been  lost  for  want  of  health;  no  painful 
calamity  has  fallen  to  my  lot;  no  peril  has  closed  upon  me; 
nor  has  fear  been  permitted  to  prey  on  my  spirits;  nor  even 
inquietude  to  disturb  my  peace.  Indeed,  constantly  has  the 
favorable  countenance  of  society  towards  the  great  object  of 
the  mission  animated  my  hopes,  while  thousands  of  conde- 
scending personal  attentions  and  benefits  to  myself  and  the 
cause,  have  awakened  emotions,  which  it  is  alike  impossible 
to  conceal,  or  to  find  terms  sufficiently  delicate  and  expressive 
to  declare;  and  the  fact,  that  although  so  large  a  portion  of 
the  whole  time  has  been  unavoidably  taken  up  in  passing  from 
place  to  place,  I  have,  besides  many  other  aids  and  liber- 
alities, received  for  the  missionary  object,  in  cash  and  sub- 
scription, more  than  $4,000,  could  not  fail  to  create  a  confi- 
dence of  success  in  the  general  concern,  which  nothing  but  a 
reverse,  most  unlikely  to  occur,  can  possibly  destroy.  This 
fact,  too,  is  the  more  animating  and  sustaining,  because,  while 
the  sum  is  but  little  larger  than  what  passed  through  my  hands 
last  year,  the  time  of  collecting  it  has  been  considerably  short- 
er, and  a  much  smaller  proportion  of  it  consists  of  remittances 
from  mission  societies;  remittances  being  this  year  made  by 
the  delegates  to  the  convention.     This,  therefore,  in  conjunc- 


436  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

tion  with  the  multiplying  of  mission  societies,  especially  con- 
sidering some  other  things  not  necessary  to  be  here  mention- 
ed, marks  decisively  a  regularly  growing  increase  of  evangelic 
missionary  zeal;  and  who  can  repress  the  exclamation — the 
Lord  hath  done  great  things  for  us!  blessed  be  the  Lord  God, 
who  only  doeth  wondrous  things;  and  let  the  whole  earth  be 
filled  with  his  glory!'''' 

Among  other  objects  which  earlier  engaged  the  attention  of 
Mr.  Rice  was  the  cause  of  education.  He  saw  the  necessity 
of  elevating  the  standard  of  ministerial  improvement  among 
the  Baptists,  and  applied  himself  with  unwearied  diligence  to 
this  work.  In  1821,  the  Columbian  college  was  chartered,  and 
commenced  its  operations  under  most  favorable  auspices.  At 
that  time  but  few  colleges  and  seminaries  of  learning  had 
been  fostered  among  the  Baptists.  It  was  deemed  by  Mr. 
Rice  an  object  of  vital  importance  to  rear  a  central  institu- 
tion  of  high  literary  character,  which  should  collect  the  most 
promising  talents  of  our  country,  and  afford  facilities  for  the 
education  of  those  young  men  who  might  be  licensed  by  the 
churches  to  preach  the  gospel.  The  history  of  this  institution  is 
well  known.  For  its  welfare,  he  spent  the  best  of  his  days. 
Although  it  has  not  answered  ail  the  expectations  of  its  friends, 
it  has  been  eminently  useful.  Many  of  the  best  and  most 
talented  of  our  ministry  have  been  educated  within  its  walls. 
Some  have  been  inclined  to  attribute  all  the  reverses  of  the 
college  to  the  mismanagement  of  its  agent.  That  in  some 
things  he  did  wrong  it  will  not  be  denied,  and  it  will  also  be 
conceded,  that  as  a  financier  he  was  not  skilled,  but  there  were 
others  who  equally  with  him  were  entitled  to  a  share  of  the 
blame.  In  1826,  the  college  was  separated  from  the  Baptist 
General  Convention,  and  after  this  period  he  ceased  to  be  the 
authorized  agent  of  the  board.  He  however  continued  to 
employ  his  time  and  talents,  in  endeavoring  to  relieve  the  in- 
stitution from  its  heavy  embarrassments.  To  the  end  of  life 
this  object  engrossed  his  chief  attention.  Still  he  was  not 
indifferent  to  the  various  other  plans   of  exertion   connected 


LUTHER    RICE.  437 

with  the  spread  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  His  conversa- 
tion in  the  social  circle,  his  pulpit  labors,  and  his  addresses  at 
associations!  and  missionary  meetings,  were  all  powerfully  in- 
fluential in  exciting  the  spirit  of  universal  philanthropy.  Al- 
though it  may  be  doubted  by  some  whether  he  did  right  in 
not  ultimately  joining  his  early  coadjutors  in  the  mission  field, 
there  is  decided  proof  that  the  Baptists  of  this  country  owe  more 
to  him  in  regard  to  the  education  and  mission  cause  than  to  any 
other  man.  It  is  questionable  whether  many  other  men 
among  us  have,  with  such  unwearied  assiduity  and  disinter- 
ested devotion,  given  themselves  to  the  interest  of  truth  and 
righteousness.  In  the  southern  states,  and  especially  Virginia, 
his  influence  will  be  felt  while  time  endures.  From  his  ear- 
liest labors  as  an  agent  he  was  exercising  a  power  over  men's 
minds,  and  giving  them  a  holy  direction,  Eternity  alone 
will  develope  the  amount  of  good  which  has  been  effected  by 
his  instrumentality. 

It  will  be  gratifying  to  the  reader  to  know  that  the  first  im- 
pulse to  labor  for  the  dying  heathen  which  the  devoted  Kin- 
caid  received,  was  produced  by  one  of  Mr.  Rice's  sermons. 
In  a  letter  from  Mr.  Kincaid,  dated  February  12th,  1835,  he 
thus  writes,  "It  is  impossible  for  me  to  forget  the  first,  and 
the  only  time  I  have  ever  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you.  I 
heard  you  preach  three  times  in  the  course  of  twenty-four 
hours,  on  the  subject  of  carrying  the  gospel  to  benighted  India. 
From  that  day  onward,  I  thought  of  the  heathen  world — an 
impression  was  made  which  time  could  not  efface,  and  I  began 
to  pray  for  pagans  of  every  land.  Your  preaching,  which  first 
led  me  to  think  of  being  a  missionary  among  the  heathen,  is  as 
fresh  in  my  mind  as  though  it  was  but  yesterday." 

The  limits  of  this  sketch  will  not  permit  us  much  further  to 
contemplate  the  labors  of  this  devoted  man.  From  the  ample 
materials  which  have  been  collected,  the  future  biographer 
will  be  able  to  select  and  arrange  facts  which  cannot  fail  to  in- 
terest the  reader.  A  brief  reference  to  the  character  of  Mr. 
Rice  will  now  be  added  from  the  pen  of  Dr.  Jonathan  Going: 


438  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

''He  possessed  a  vigorous,  discriminating,  and  comprehensive 
mind.  There  were  in  its  constitution  the  stamina  of  mental 
greatness,  and  it  had  been  well  trained  by  a  good  education, 
and  enriched  by  reading,  acquaintance  with  society,  and  much 
reflection.  He  took  enlarged  and  accurate  views  of  all  subjects, 
which  fell  within  the  circle  of  his  observation. 

"He  had  great  decision  of  character.  Indeed  this  may  be 
said  to  have  been  his  distinguishing  characteristic.  He  was 
naturally  ardent  and  adventurous,  and  felt  great  confidence 
in  his  own  powers,  and  the  circumstances  in  which  he  was 
placed,  tended  to  fix  and  consolidate  this  trait  of  character. 
When  he  returned  to  this  country,  and  entered  on  a  course 
of  efforts  to  sustain  foreign  missions,  the  enterprise  was  new 
to  our  people,  and  they  were  without  the  lights  of  expe- 
rience; all  turned  their  eyes  to  Mr.  R.  as  a  kind  of  oracle, 
and  his  opinions  were  almost  of  course,  adopted.  And  as  he 
became  acquainted  with  those  with  whom  he  was  associated, 
it  is  not  improbable  that  he  perceived. that  generally,  however 
ardently  attached  to  the  cause  of  missions,  they  would  not  add 
much  to  him  in  conference,  and,  of  course,  that  he  must  consult 
himself  chiefly  in  order  to  accomplish  the  object  before  him. 
Besides; — he  met  with  no  small  measure  of  opposition  from  many 
who  should  have  strengthened  his  hands  and  aided  his  efforts, 
and  opposition  tends  greatly  to  strengthen  the  decided  char- 
acter. And  again,  he  at  length  found  himself  deserted  by 
many  who  had  stricken  hands  with  him,  and  from  whom  he 
seemed  to  have  a  right  to  expect  better  things;  and  desertion, 
too,  more  than  almost  any  other  thing,  seems  to  strengthen 
such  a  mind,  though  it  may  break  down  one  which  is  naturally 
feeble  and  irresolute. 

"We  have  proof  of  this  trait  in  his  character,  not  only  in  his 
enterprise  of  awakening  the  denomination  to  missionary  effort, 
and  his  perseverance  in  efforts  to  accomplish  it  amid  discour- 
agements, but  especially  in  the  pertinacity  with  which  he  clung 
to  the  college  when  it  was  nearly  deserted  by  its  friends,  and 
apparently  sinking  under  its  misfortunes.     And  an  illustration 


LUTIIER   RICE.  439 

of  it  is  afforded  in  an  incident  which  occurred  in  1832.  While 
at  Providence,  R.  I.,  Mr.  R.  had  a  slight  paralytical  affection, 
and  was  informed  by  the  attending  physician,  that  he  would 
probably  be  soon  visited  by  a  recurrence  of  the  shock,  which 
would  terminate  his  life.  A  friend  asked  him  if  he  was  ready 
to  die? — To  the  inquiry,  be  replied,  'Yes,  though  I  should 
like  to  bring  up  the  college  first.'     This  is  almost  an  instance  of 

'The  ruling  passion  strong  in  death.' 

It  is  not  improbable  that  this  attribute  of  character  betrayed 
him  into  some  imprudences,  which  were  in  the  issue  as  much 
regretted  by  himself  as  they  wore  by  others. 

"He  was  eminently  disinterested.  For  twelve  years  he  la- 
bored incessantly  and  laboriously  for  the  small  pittance  of 
$400  per  annum  beyond  his  travelling  expenses.  We  doubt 
whether  there  was  an  individual  in  the  United  States  who  en- 
dured so  much  exposure,  who  travelled  so  extensively,  and 
who  at  the  same  time  preached  so  much;  and  we  doubt,  also, 
whether  there  are  more  than  a  very  few  who  could  endure  so 
much.  To  meet  the  wants  of  the  college,  he  eventually  re- 
linquished all  these  small  savings,  together  with  some  $2000, 
or  83000,  which  he  inherited  as  a  patrimony;  so  that  in  1826 
ho  was  without  a  cent  in  the  world.  From  that  time  till  his 
death,  he  travelled  almost  constantly  to  preach  and  to  collect 
for  the  college,  without  the  least  support  from  the  college,  or 
salary  from  any  other  institution.  Indeed,  we  believe  that  he, 
in  a  great  measure,  defrayed  his  travelling  expenses  from  the 
sale  of  a  few  religious  books,  while  the  balance  was  borne  by 
individual  friends,  who  also  furnished  him  with  his  wearing  ap- 
parel. And  at  his  death,  we  suspect  that  his  horse  and  sulky 
constituted  all  his  earthly  treasure,  and  these  he  directed  to 
bi  forwarded  to  Washington,  saying  that  all  belonged  to  the 
college-. — And  though  some  of  his  enemies  maliciously  accused 
him  of  embezzling  funds  committed  to  his  charge,  and  though 
many  doUbted  the  wisdom  of  some  of  his   plans,  it  is  believed 


440  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

that  no  man  acquainted  with  the  facts,  even  suspected  him  of 
peculation  or  dishonesty.  In  a  word,  if  we  have  ever  known  a 
disinterested  man,  that  man  was  Luther  Rice. 

"Mr.  Rice  was  distinguished  for  great  elasticity  of  mind, 
and  an  exuberant  flow  of  animal  feeling.  He  was  apparently 
always  cheerful  and  always  buoyant  with  hope.  We  remember 
hearing  his  eldest  brother  say  of  him,  "Luther  always  looked  for 
prosperity,  and  he  always  expected  that  to-morrow  would  be  net 
only  a  fair  day,  but  a  little  fairer  than  to-day."  This  cheerful- 
ness of  temper  sometimes  led  him  into  slight  improprieties, 
which  were  spoken  of  with  regret  by  his  friends,  and  seized  on 
by  the  enemies  of  the  great  cause  he  advocated,  as  an  argument 
against  his  piety,  though  those  who  knew  him  best,  believed 
him  a  genuine  Christian.  For  the  last  few  years  of  his  life, 
however,  he  was  more  solemn  in  his  manner  of  conversation, 
and  uniformly  devout  in  his  habits.  His  cheerfulness  was  evi- 
dently chastened  into  greater  sobriety,  and  there  is  every  rea- 
son to  believe  that  his  heart  was  more  fully  sanctified.  We 
believe  that  he  admitted  and  lamented  his  former  levity;  it 
seems  to  have  been  his  temptation,  as  despondency,  or  fretful- 
ness,  or  pride,  is  that  of  others. 

"He  was  a  sound  divine  and  an  able  preacher.  He  was 
well  grounded  in  the  great  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  and  exhib- 
ited its  truths  in  the  proportions  they  bear  to  each  other  in  the 
scriptures.  His  sermons  were  well  digested,  and  skilfully  ar- 
ranged. They  were  usually  delivered  with  a  good  degree  of 
unction,  and  in  an  impressive  manner.  He  preached  at  once 
to  the  understanding,  the  conscience,  and  the  heart.  Had  he 
devoted  himself  to  literary  or  theological  studies  he  would 
have  shone  as  a  scholar,  or  a  theologian.  Had  he  entered  ex- 
clusively on  the  ministerial  office,  he  would  have  acquired  dis- 
tinction as  a  preacher  and  a  pastor.  Or  had  he  returned,  ac- 
cording to  his  intention  when  he  left  India,  to  the  missionary 
field,  he  would  have  occupied  a  rank  with  the  venerated  Judson, 
to  whom  in  very  many  respects  he  was  in  noways  inferior.  As 
it  was,  he  did  not  live  in  vain.     So  far  from  it,  that  the  Baptist 


PETER    NELSON.  441 

denomination  in  the  United  States  have  had  scarcely  his  equal 
among  them,  and  to  few  are  they  more  indebted.  That  he  had 
faults,  his  friends  admit,  and  he  lamented;  but  he  had  redeem. 
ing  qualities,  which  entitle  his  character  to  universal  respect; 
and  his  memory  will  be  cherished  by  all  who  knew  him  well,  and 
must  affectionately  by  those  who  knew  him  best  and  longest.'' 
After  an  illness  of  three  weeks,  this  laborious  servant  of 
the  Redeemer  closed  his  mortal  career,  at  the  house  of  Dr.  R. 
G.  Mays,  Edgefield  district,  South  Carolina,  on  Saturday,  Sep- 
tember 25th,  1836.  His  remains  were  deposited  near  the 
Pine  Pleasant  Baptist  meeting-house.  The  South  Carolina 
Baptist  Convention  have  caused  a  large  marble  slab  to  be  placed 
over   his  "rave. 


PETER      NELSON 


We  regret  our  inability  to  give  more  than  a  very  imperfect 
sketch  of  Elder  Peter  Nelson.  It  was  expected  that  a  memoir 
would  be  furnished  by  one  who  was  well  acquainted  with  the 
prominent  incidents  of  his  life,  and  admirably  qualified  to  pre- 
sent those  incidents  in  an  interesting  point  of  view.  This  me- 
moir not  having  been  received,  and  being  unwilling  to  pass 
over  in  silence  one  who  contributed  much  to  elevate  the 
character  of  man,  we  determined  to  insert  the  following  hasty 
sketcb.  Virginia  is  much  indebted  to  Elder  Nelson,  about 
forty  years  of  his  life  having  been  devoted  to  the  arduous  and 
responsible  duty  of  instructing  youth;  and  he  lived  to  see  an  evi- 
dence of  the  success  of  his  efforts,  in  the  elevated  station  and 
valuable  services  of  many,  the  unfolding  energies  of  whose 
minds  received  his  fostering  care. 

We  have  a  striking  illustration  of  his  high  appreciation  of 
intellectual  attainments,  and  the  extensive  liberality  of  his 
heart,  in  the  promptness  with  which  he  received  both  into  his 
family  and  school,    those  who  possessed  not  the  means  of  ob- 

*  Prepared  by  Thomas  H.  Fox. 
38 


442  BIOGRAPHr    OP 

taining  an  education;  and  he  received  a  rich  reward,  in  the 
brilliant  career,  the  invaluable  efforts  in  the  cause  of  God,  and 
of  fallen  man,  of  some  who  were  the  recipients  of  his  liberal- 
ity, as  recorded  on  the  pages  of  this  volume.  Mr.  Nelson, 
after  completing  his  course  of  studies  at  William  and  Mary 
college,  returned  to  Hanover,  his  native  county,  and  entered 
on  the  duties  of  his  profession.  After  a  few  years,  he  united 
himself  with  the  Episcopal  church,  and  was  ordained  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry.  He  soon  located  himself  permanently  at 
Wingfield,  and  established  there  an  academy,  whose  recollec- 
tion is  intimately  associated  with  some  of  the  greatest  men 
who  have  adorned  the  bar  or  councils  of  his  native  state. 

About  the  year  1807,  his  companion  became  deeply  con- 
cerned upon  the  subject  of  religion,  and  anxious  to  unite  her- 
self with  the  Baptists,  a  denomination  held  by  Mr.  Nelson  in 
utter  contempt.  In  his  opposition,  he  prevented  her  from  vis- 
iting their  meetings,  or  even  hearing  what  the  "babblers  might 
say."  This,  however,  she  never  failed  to  do,  whenever  an  op- 
portunity offered;  such  was  her  very  great  anxiety  upon  the 
subject,  and  her  sense  of  obligation  to  Jesus  Christ.  Mr.  Nel- 
son, no  doubt,  anxious  for  the  safety  of  his  companion,  and 
desirous  to  reclaim  her  from  the  errors  of  her  way,  searched 
daily  the  scriptures  for  arguments  to  accomplish  his  purpose; 
and,  after  a  very  critical  examination  of  them  in  the  original 
text,  (in  a  knowledge  of  which  he  was  surpassed  perhaps  by 
no  scholar  of  his  day,)  he  became  convinced  of  the  necessity 
of  immersion,  and  forthwith  obeyed  his  Lord,  by  being  buried 
with  her  in  baptism,  which  ordinance  he  received  at  the  hands 
of  Elder  Andrew  Broaddus,  about  1808,  or  '9,  after  having  been 
an  Episcopal  minister  for  upwards  of  twenty  years.  He  died 
on  the  fifteenth  of  February,  1827,  as  says  his  physician,  like 
a  philosopher  and  Christian. 


HIFUS    CIIANDLKR. 


RU  F  U  S     CHANDLER 


443 


Rufus  Chandler  was  born  in  Pomfrct,  Windham  county, 
Conn.,  May  26th,  1785,  of  parents  who  occupied  a  very  res-, 
pectable  station  in  society.  At  an  early  age  he  gave  evidence 
of  possessing  a  vigorous  mind,  and  an  ardent  desire  to  acquire 
useful  knowledge.  His  father  hailed  these  indications  with 
delight,  and  determined  to  afford  his  son  the  means  of  gratify. 
ing  his  desire.  He  was  sent  to  the  best  schools  in  his  native 
town,  until  he  attained  his  sixteenth  year;  when  he  left  his 
paternal  roof  for  Plainfield  academy.  In  this  institution  he 
pursued  his  studies;  and  at  the  expiration  of  one  year,  his  friends 
considering  him  prepared  for  an  advantageous  entrance  into 
college,  he  removed  to  New  Haven,  and  with  credit  entered 
the  freshman  class  of  Yale  college  in  his  seventeenth  year. 
At  the  expiration  of  four  years,  the  degree  of  A.  M.  was  con- 
ferred upon  him,  having  previously  obtained  that  of  A.  B. 

In  the  spring  of  1806  he  was  invited  by  several  intelligent 
gentlemen  to  take  charge  of  a  school  in  Hanover  county,  Va.; 
and  having  embraced  the  offer,  continued  in  their  immediate 
neighborhood  for  several  years.  In  the  summer  of  1812,  he 
became  a  Christian,  and  recognizing  his  duty,  he  determined, 
forthwith,  to  obey  his  Lord,  by  being  buried  with  him  in  bap- 
tism; which  ordinance  was  administered  by  Elder  Andrew 
Broaddus.  Previous  to  descending  into  the  water,  Elder  Chan- 
dler addressed  a  large  assembly  on  the  vital  importance  of 
religion  and  gave  his  own  views  of  the  mode  and  design  of 
baptism,  as  derived  from  a  critical  examination  of  the  original 
text. 

In  the  fall  of  this  year  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Nancy  W.  Trevillian,  daughter  of  Mr.  Thos.  Trevillian,  of  Ca- 
roline county;  and  in  the  year  1815,  he  removed  to  that  county, 
with  a  view  to  a  permanent  location.  Here  he  prosecuted  his 
profession  for  several  years,  receiving  quite  a  liberal  patron- 
age; but  admonished  by  declining  health,  he  abandoned  it,  for 


444  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

the  more  active  pursuits  of  agriculture.  On  the  13th  of  June, 
1830,  he  was  ordained  to  the  gospel  ministry,  by  Elders  Spilsbe 
Woolfolk,  Henry  Keeling,  and  Eli  Ball.  It  has  been  already 
observed  that  Elder  Chandler's  declining  health,  had  induced 
him  to  abandon  a  sedentary  life,  for  the  more  active  pursuits 
of  agriculture;  and  while  we  have  every  reason  to  believe  that 
the  change  of  his  habits  contributed  to  his  stay  among  us;  yet 
the  seeds  of  disease  were  never  entirely  eradicated.  At  the 
time  of  his  ordination,  he  no  doubt  entertained  the  hope  that 
he  would  be  enabled  to  enter  upon  the  arduous  and  responsible 
duties  connected  with  the  ministry;  this  hope  was  but  very  par- 
tially realized:  the  church  at  Burruss',  however,  with  which  he 
had  associated  himself  on  his  removal  to  Caroline,  being  at  this 
time  deprived  of  the  services  of  a  regular  pastor,  solicited  his 
aid,  and  was  regularly  supplied  by  him,  whenever  his  health 
would  permit,  until  they  obtained  the  services  of  their  present 
pastor.  During  the  time  Elder  Chandler  served  the  church  at 
Burruss',  a  revival  commenced  which  continued  for  some  months, 
and  in  which  sixty  or  eighty  were  added  to  their  number. 

Elder  Chandler  was  not  only  a  classical  scholar,  but  a  lit- 
erary man:  so  far  from  supposing  a  collegiate  course  embraces 
every  thing  necessary  to  be  learned,  he  considered  it  only  a 
foundation,  upon  which  to  erect  a  superstructure  of  useful 
knowledge,  and  possessing  a  talent  for  investigation  he  made 
considerable  attainments  in  science.  He  was  very  remarka- 
ble for  neatness  and  order  in  all  his  business,  the  most  casual 
observer  could  not  fail  to  admire  the  systematic  arrangement 
of  every  thing  around  him;  his  attention  however  was  more 
particularly  directed  to  such  subjects  as  had  a  tendency  to 
improve  the  mind.  His  library  comprised  some  of  the  most 
valuable  works  extant,  especially  those  connected  with  theology, 
and  is,  for  its  extent,  perhaps  as  valuable  as  any  in  Virginia. 
Much  of  Elder  Chandler's  time  was  devoted  to  the  study  and 
critical  examination  of  the  scriptures;  and,  considering  them  as 
the  only  infallible  standard  of  faith  and  practice,  he  never  failed 
to  urge,  on  all  around  him,  the  propriety  of  consulting  them. 


RUFUS    CHANDLER.  445 

His  preaching  was  not  very  animated,  but  always  instructive, 
and  occasionally  quite  impressive.  He  was  a  warm  advocate  of 
benevolent  effort,  a  liberal  contributor  to  the  different  societies 
organized  for  that  purpose,  and  earnest  in  his  endeavors  to 
interest  others  in  their  behalf.  The  temperance  cause  found 
in  him  an  ardent  supporter;  and  on  all  suitable  occasions,  feel- 
ingly portrayed  the  miseries  resulting  from  intemperance,  and 
forcibly  sustained  the  views  of  the  advocates  of  abstinence. 

It  is  very  certain  that  the  last  years  of  Elder  Chandler's  life 
were  characterized  by  increased  devotion  to  God,  zeal  in  his 
cause,  and  anxious  solicitude  for  the  salvation  of  dying  man, 
and  as  an  evidence  that  this  impression  is  not  confined  to  the 
writer,  he  will  here  introduce  a  paragraph  or  two  from  the 
obituary  notice  written  by  Elder  Andrew  Broaddus,  in  which 
he  says:  "The  latter  part  of  his  Christian  profession  shone 
with  much  more  brilliance  than  the  former  part.  But  if  the 
early  stage  appeared  more  dim  and  cloudy,  how  pleasant  was 
it  to  find,  that  after  a  season  of  special  revival,  which  he 
seems  to  have  experienced,  the  light  broke  forth,  and  con- 
tinued to  shine  on  through  the  infirmities  of  nature,  till  death 
dismissed  him  to  a  brighter  state.  His  retired  habits,  and  his 
frequent  bodily  infirmities,  seem  to  have  circumscribed  his 
ministerial  operations,  and  confined  them  to  narrow  limits,  but 
his  preaching  was  of  the  intelligent  and  evangelical  order,  and 
by  no  means  destitute  of  a  degree  of  spiritual  unction;  while 
his  zeal  for  the  prosperity  of  religion,  manifested  itself  in  more 
than  verbal  professions.  Extracts  from  some  of  his  letters, 
would  show  how  desirous  he  was  to  encourage  his  brethren  in 
the  work  of  faith  and  the  labor  of  love,  while  bodily  indispo- 
sition prevented  his  taking  a  part  in  active  exercises.  'He 
was,'  says  an  intimate  friend  of  his,  'one  of  the  most  scru- 
pulously exact  persons,  in  all  his  transactions  with  men,  I  ever 
knew.'  And  along  with  tbis  disposition,  it  may  be  added, 
there  went  a  cordial  sociability  towards  his  particular  friends, 
that  naturally  drew  forth  a  return  of  affectionate  esteem.  Of 
33* 


446  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

this,  the  writer  of  this  article,  among  others,  may  be  allowed 
to  bear  witness." 

During  his  last  illness,  he  frequently  spoke  of  death  with 
that  perfect  composure  of  feeling,  that  sweet  serenity  of  mind, 
which  can  be  experienced  only  by  those  who  profess  the 
blessed  hope  of  a  resurrection  to  life;  and,  to  a  particular 
friend,  he  said,  "We  have  spent  many  happy  moments  to- 
gether, I  hope  we  shall  spend  many  more  in  heaven.''  Just 
before  his  death,  shaking  hands  with  his  eldest  son,  he  uttered 
his  last  articulate  words:  "Farewell!  I  am  going  home."  Thus 
died,  at  Little  Yale,  in  the  county  of  Caroline,  on  Tuesday, 
13th  July,  1S37,  in  the  fifty-third  year  of  his  age,  Elder  Rufus 
Chandler,  leaving  behind  him  an  afflicted  wife  and  five  chil- 
dren to  mourn  the  bereaving  stroke,  and  a  circle  of  friends 
and  brethren,  in  whose  recollections  his  name  will  be  cor- 
dially embalmed. 


JOSEPH    GO  0  D  E. 

Joseph  Goobe  was  the  son  of  Elder  John  Goode,  and  was 
born  in  Chesterfield  county,  April  4th,  1776  He  had  serious 
impressions  at  the  age  of  eight  or  ten  years,  and  would  often 
hold  conversation  with  his  brothers  on  the  subject  of  religion. 
Resolutions  to  seek  the  salvation  of  his  soul  were  made,  but 
would  relapse  again  into  a  state  of  unconcern.  Being  well 
brought  up,  he  scarcely  ever,  if  at  all,  committed  an  act  known 
to  any,  thnt  would  have  placed  him  under  the  censure  of  a 
well  disciplined  church. 

In  1799,  a  revival  commenced  in  the  bounds  of  Skinquarter 
church.  He  had  long  been  waiting  on  the  ministration  of  the 
word  without  deep  feeling,  but  about  this  time,  at  a  night 
meeting,  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  reached  his  heart,  and  he  was 
compelled  to  cry  aloud  with  anguish.  He  extended  his  hand 
to  a  brother,  with  whom  he  had    freely  conversed  on  eternal 


JOSEPH     GOODE.  447 

things,  and  assured  him  he  must  turn  or  perish.  His  convic- 
tions were  deeply  pungent.  In  the  fall  of  1799,  while  secur- 
ing his  crop,  deliverance  was  realized.  His  countenance  be- 
spoke the  change,  and  constrained  his  friends  to  believe  he 
had  passed  from  death  unto  life.  He  soon  made  a  public  pro- 
fession of  religion,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Charles  Forsee, 
attaching  himself  to  Skinquarter  church.  Shortly  after,  he 
was  chosen  deacon  of  the  church. 

After  some  time,  he  reached  the  conclusion  that  there  was 
something  required  at  his  hands-,  in  warning  his  fellow  beings 
of  their  dangerous  situation,  as  sinners  against  God.  He  soon 
commenced  the  work  of  exhorting  them,  in  the  name  of  his 
Master,  and,  after  a  few  years,  was  ordained  to  the  gospel 
ministry,  by  Elders  Forsee,  Martin,  and  Leigh.  Feeling  the 
great  responsibility  of  his  station,  he  would  sometimes,  in  the 
early  part  of  his  labors,  desist,  requesting  others  to  take  his 
place.  His  talents,  or  acquirements  in  literature,  were  not 
such  as  to  command  the  admiration  of  the  highly  cultivated 
part  of  society.  He  was,  however,  considerably  gifted  as  an 
experimental  preacher,  and,  at  times,  was  exceedingly  forcible 
in  the  elucidation  of  doctrinal  subjects,  and  pungent  in  his 
appeals  to  the  conscience.  His  countenance  was  usually 
lighted  up  with  a  smile,  while  he  dwelt  on  the  lovely  character 
of  Jesus,  and  recommended  him  as  the  Saviour  of  the  lost. 

In  his  intercourse  with  men,  he  was  remarkable  for  the  up- 
rightness of  his  conduct,  giving  evidence  that  he  loved  the 
law  of  God.  He  was  much  beloved  by  many,  and  respected 
by  all.  Though  his  ministerial  career  was  short,  it  was  well 
spent.  He  seemed  to  have  some  presentiment  of  his  approach- 
ing dissolution,  and  communicated  them  to  his  family  before 
he  was  arrested  by  disease.  On  Fiiday,  the  13th  of  October, 
1823,  he  was  confined  by  a  sudden  attack  of  sickness,  and  in 
little  more  than  a  week,  his  spirit  took  its  flight  to  a  better 
world.  On  his  dying  bed,  he  enjoyed  much  of  the  love  of 
Jesus,  and  was  confident  of  dwelling  with  him  forever. 


448  BIOGRAPHY     OP 


NOAH     DAVIS 


How  mysterious  are  the  appointments  of  him  who  worketh 
all  things  after  the  counsel  of  his  own  will.  Verily,  he  is  a  God 
that  hideth  himself!  His  footsteps  are  in  the  great  deep! 
Among  the  intricacies  of  divine  providence  is  to  be  numbered 
the  early  removal  by  death,  of  godly  and  useful  ministers  of 
Jesus  Christ.  If  the  wisest  and  best  of  human  beings  should 
be  allowed  to  decide,  it  would  be  thought  more  conducive  to 
the  interest  of  man  and  the  glory  of  God,  to  retain  able  min- 
isters of  the  New  Testament,  until  their  physical  natures 
were  worn  out,  and  there  was  no  further  capacity  for  efficient 
service.  It  would  be  one  feature  of  the  economy  which  they 
might  devise,  to  "spare  useful  lives."  So  rarely  is  the  cause 
of  Christ  advocated  by  men  who  unite  eminent  attainments  in 
holiness,  witli  a  high  order  of  intellect,  that  it  would  be  thought 
unwise  soon  to  release  them  from  their  stewardship.  But  as 
the  heavens  are  higher  than  the  earth,  so  are  God's  ways 
higher  than  our  ways,  and  his  thoughts  higher  than  our 
thoughts.  He  is  himself  the  author  of  all  those  gifts  which 
the  church  has  received.  He  entertains  an  unchanging  re- 
gard for  her  interests,  and  his  wisdom  is  as  perfect  as  his  love. 
While  therefore  the  precise  design  of  such  removals  are  un- 
known to  us,  we  may  still  believe  them  right  and  rejoice  that 
the  Lord  God  omnipotent  reigneth. 

Momentary  sadness  came  over  many  a  heart,  when  it  was 
announced  that  Noah  Davis  was  no  more.  The  importance 
of  the  station  he  filled — the  loveliness  of  his  character,  and 
the  extended  influence  which  he  had  gained  in  our  denomina- 
tion, all  rendered  the  bereavement  deeply  painful.  But  he  has 
gone  to  his  reward,  and  his  Master  whom  he  served,  can  mul- 
tiply laborers  an  hundred-fold,  and  send  them  into  the  field. 
This  mournful  event  will  have  resulted  in  good,  if  it  has,  in 
any  measure,  begotten  in  the  churches  an  humble  dependence 
on  the  Lord  of  the  harvest   to  supply  the  deficiency  which 


NOATI    DAVIS.  449 

every  where  prevails.  It  is  believed  too,  that  the  bright  ex- 
ample of  Davis  will  long  exert  its  influence  among  men.  He 
bein"-  dead  yet  speaketh.  In  the  brief  record  which  this  me- 
moir will  furnish,  the  desire  is  cherished,  to  hold  up  for  the 
imitation  of  all,  his   heavenly  spirit,  and  self-denying  activity. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  a  native  of  Worcester  county, 
Maryland.  He  was  born  July  28th,  1802.  His  parents  were 
eminently  pious  members  of  the  Baptist  church.  In  their 
family  arrangements  they  adopted  that  course  which  was  most 
likely  to  result  in  the  eternal  welfare  of  their  offspring.  Noah, 
their  first  born,  was  the  object  of  special  anxiety,  and  his  in- 
fant mind  received  impressions  which  were  never  erased. 
Doubtless  many  a  prayer  ascended  from  her  who  watched 
over  his  childish  years,  and  who  early  taught  him  to  think  of 
spiritual  realities.  She,  like  Hannah,  had  given  this  child  to 
God,  and  was  strong  in  the  faith,  giving  glory  to  Him.  With 
unwavering  confidence,  her  heart  rested  on  the  assurance  that 
when  he  was  old,  he  would  not  forget  the  instructions  he  had 
received.  Happy  is  the  man  who  is  born  of  such  parents. 
Though  piety  be  not  hereditary,  the  influence  of  pious  counsels 
and  example,  must  be  salutary.  Such  was  the  effect  on  him,  to 
whom  reference  is  now  made.  He  always  considered  it  one 
of  the  richest  blessings  conferred  on  him,  to  be  the  child  of  devout 
parents.  In  alluding  to  this  subject  he  says,  "I  was  the  first  child 
the  Lord  gave  my  parents,  and  my  mother,  who  before  my  birth 
had  dedicated  me  to  Him,  named  me  Noah,  believing  that  I  also 
should  be  made  a  preacher  of  righteousness.  Of  course  no 
pains  were  spared  by  my  parents,  to  instruct  me  in  religious 
truth,  and  bring  me  up  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord.  Though  they 
had  the  grief  to  see  me  like  others  taking  the  downward  course, 
and  drinking  in  iniquity  like  water,  yet  my  mother  held  fast 
her  first  impression,  that  I  should  be  ransomed  by  electing 
love,  and  made  to  preach  the  word  of  God  to  dying  men.'' 

When  quite  a  child,  he  gave  indications  of  natural  spright- 
liness  of  mind.  His  active,  restless  spirit,  sometimes  caused 
painful  fears  to  arise  in  the  bosom  of  his  pious  parents  concerning 


450  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

his  spiritual  welfare.  They  saw  the  influence  of  a  depraved 
heart,  united  with  a  warm  temperament,  and  they  dreaded  the 
result  when  he  should  be  brought  in  contact  with  the  tempta- 
tions of  the  world.  As  he  advanced  in  years,  he  was  quite 
disposed  to  indulge  in  ambitious  projects.  He  seemed  eager 
to  engage  in  great  and  difficult  enterprises.  He  often  thought 
and  spoke  of  casting  himself  amidst  the  perils  of  military 
life.  The  fires  of  patriotism  burned  in  his  youthful  bosom, 
and  he  panted  for  the  field  of  battle.  But  He,  in  whose  hands 
are  the  hearts  of  all  men,  was  preparing  him  for  other  em- 
ployments. It  was  to  be  his  honorable  lot  to  unfurl  the  ban- 
ner of  the  Prince  of  peace.  His  was  to  be  a  bloodless  war- 
fare. "Thanks  be  to  God,''  said  he,  after  his  conversation, 
"that  I  have  undertaken,  in  his  name,  to  fight  for  another  king- 
dom than  that  of  this  world,  and  to  serve  under  the  high  cap- 
tain of  salvation." 

From  earliest  childhood  he  manifested  a  fondness  for  read- 
ing, and  would  frequently  separate  himself  from  his  youthful 
companions,  and  spend  hours  in  the  perusal  of  some  favorite 
book.  At  school  he  was  studious.  There  was,  however,  at 
that  time,  but  little  promise  of  succeeding  as  a  public  speaker. 
"Whilst  at  school,"  he  remarks,  "whether  from  diffidence  or 
some  other  cause,  1  could  at  no  time  take  a  part  in  the  exer- 
cise of  public  speaking,  a  proof  that  I  was  not  then  preparing 
for  my  present  avocation."  His  education  while  with  his  par- 
ents, was  such  as  could  be  obtained  in  the  common  schools  of 
the  country. 

He  was  not  more  than  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  was 
engaged  as  a  merchant's  clerk  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 
The  individuals  by  whom  he  was  employed  were  pious  men 
and  scrupulously  guarded  the  morals  of  those  placed  under 
their  charge.  The  parents  of  young  Davis,  in  seeking  a  situa- 
tion for  their  son,  were  not  willing  to  disregard  his  spiritual 
good,  but  sought  and  found  employers  who  feared  the  Lord. 
This  is  a  subject  concerning  which  all  parents  should  be  solicit- 
ous.    On  the  connexion  in  business,  which   an  inexperienced 


NOAII   DAVIS.  451 

youth  forms,  may  depend  his  whole  future  destiny.  Especially 
is  it  important,  in  this  particular,  to  exercise  caution,  when 
young  men  exchange  the  simple  habitsof  a  country  life  for  those 
of  towns.  So  numerous  and  fascinating  are  the  temptations  of 
a  city,  that  the  unwary,  without  the  restraints  of  some  judicious 
guardian,  are  liable  to  be  lured  into  the  path  of  ruin. 

Previous  to  his  removal  to  Philadelphia,  he  was  not  the  sub- 
ject of  any  peculiar  religious  feeling.  Notwithstanding  the  deep 
concern  which  his  parents  had  always  evinced  for  his  salva- 
tion, he  remained  a  thoughtless  youth,  without  hope  and  with- 
out God  in  the  world.  But  he  had  not  long  resided  in  Phila- 
delphia, before  the  influence  of  truth  was  felt.  The  gentleman 
with  whom  he  lived,  insisted  (much  against  his  inclination) 
that  he  should  regularly  attend  public  worship.  Almost  im- 
perceptibly was  he  led  to  the  discovery  of  the  exceeding 
sinfulness  of  sin.  He  thus  describes  some  of  the  leading  cir- 
cumstances which  resulted  in  his  conversion.  Speaking  of  his 
settlement  in  Philadelphia,  he  says,  "Prior  to  this  time,  I  had 
no  abiding  impression  of  my  state  by  nature,  nor  of  the  awful- 
ness  of  my  standing  before  God.  It  was  in  Philadelphia,  that 
my  vile  heart  first  revolted  against  attending  strictly  on  the 
worship  of  the  Sabbath-day.  I  was  now  compelled  to  labor 
throughout  the  week,  and  surely,  thought  I,  Sunday  at  least 
may  be  my  own.  But  in  vain  were  my  murmurings.  My 
respected  employers  knew  the  worth  of  immortal  souls,  and 
acted  upon  the  good  resolution,  that  they  and  their's  should 
serve  the  Lord." 

The  account  of  his  first  exercises  in  religion,  is  thus  given 
by  himself:  "1  cannot  remember  any  particular  sermon  that 
had  a  more  than  usual  eftect  upon  my  mind.  If  my  mind 
was  ever  operated  upon  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  it  was  in  a  manner 
silent  and  calm.  The  first  material  change  of  life  that  I  re- 
member,  took  place  in  the  winter  of  1818,  '19,  when  I  found 
myself  almost  imperceptibly  led  to  the  practice  of  daily  prayer; 
and  on  Sabbath  afternoons,  I  spent  my  time  in  reading  and 
prayer.     Under  this  change  of  my  views  and  habits,  I  began 


452  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

to  hear  the  word  of  God  with  increased  attention,  and  ob- 
tained a  better  comprehension  than  1  had  previously  had  of 
divine  things.  I  began  to  acquire  a  greater  relish  for  the 
services  of  the  sanctuary,  and  attended  upon  them  more  from 
choice  than  compulsion.  The  administration  of  the  ordinance 
of  baptism,  in  Sansom  street  church,  had  several  times  a  very 
powerful  effect  upon  my  mind.  Shortly  after  this,  T  wrote  to 
my  parents,  informing  them  of  my  religious  exercises,  and  of 
my  desire  to  become  a  member  of  the  church  of  Christ. 
They  were  the  first  to  whom  1  made  known  my  feelings  and 
sentiments,  in  relation  to  the  concerns  of  my  soul.  I  men- 
tioned my  exercises  to  Mr.  Fassit,  at  the  same  time  requesting 
him  to  state  my  case  to  Dr.  Staughton,  who  was  then  pastor  of 
the  Baptist  church  in  Sansom  street.  This  he  did,  giving  the 
doctor  an  account  of  my  experience,  with  which  he  appeared 
to  be  satisfied.  After  examination,  the  church  consented  that 
I  should  be  baptized  at  their  next  regular  meeting,  which 
took  place  July  4th,  1819.  I  had  made  known  my  intention 
to  be  baptized  on  that  day,  and  to  my  surprise,  my  father  came 
from  his  distant  residence  to  Philadelphia  at  that  time,  almost 
purposely  to  witness  the  scene.  Indeed  it  appeared  to  be  one  of 
a  very  affecting  kind  to  him.  In  the  afternoon  of  that  day  I 
was  received  into  the  visible  church  by  the  right  hand  of  fel- 
lowship, presented  by  Dr.  Staughton,  the  pastor;  and  for  the 
first  time  partook  of  the  Lord's  supper.  O  what  a  day  to  me! 
With  what  regret  should  I  remember  how  poorly  I  have 
sustained  the  profession  then  assumed.  In  the  church  of 
which  I  became  a  member,  I  found  the  interchange  of  relig- 
ious affection  most  delightful:  the  services  of  the  sanctuary 
became  interesting,  and  I  could  sing 

'There  my  best  friends,  my  kindred  dwell.'  " 

Thus  was  he  held  by  a  way  which  he  knew  not.  His  sub- 
sequent history  proves  the  reality  of  the  change  he  professed 
when  he  was  buried  with  Christ  in  baptism.  Having  recog- 
nized himself  as  saved  by  grace,  he  felt  anxious  to  be  employed 


NOAH    DAVIS.  453 

in  any  way  which  might  be  conducive  to  the  divine  honor. 
His  soul  was  moved,  too,  with  compassion  for  dying  men.  He 
saw  them  exposed  to  eternal  burnings,  and  longed  to  warn 
them  of  their  danger.  Though  his  prospects  in  worldly  things 
were  encouraging,  he  could  not  be  satisfied  to  remain  in  Phila- 
delphia. Those  with  whom  he  lived,  cheerfully  relinquished 
his  services,  and  he  returned  to  his  father's  house,  resolved  to 
embrace  every  opportunity  of  speaking  in  behalf  of  his  Mas- 
ter's cause.  By  letter,  he  united  with  the  church  in  Salis- 
bury, Md.  It  was  soon  perceived  that  he  possessed  useful  tal- 
ents, and  he.  was  licensed  to  preach  July  9th,  1H20. 

At  the  time  he  became  a  licentiate,  he  was  only  eighteen 
years  of  age.  Although  he  had  obtained  from  various  sources 
much  valuable  information,  he  was  impressed  with  the  impor- 
tance of  still  further  improvement,  to  qualify  him  thoroughly 
for  the  work  of  his  ministry.  In  the  following  November,  he 
joined  the  Literary  and  Theological  Institution,  under  the 
care  of  Dr.  Staughton  and  Professor  Chase.  When  the  Co- 
lumbian college  went  into  operation,  in  1821,  he  removed  to 
Washington,  and  there  continued  his  studies.  He  did  not  re- 
main until  he  completed  his  education.  Although  he  was  mak- 
ing commendable  progress,  and  might  have  risen  to  eminence 
in  scholastic  attainments;  yet,  his  ardent  desire  to  enter  the 
field  of  labor,  prevailed  over  the  love  of  literary  distinction. 
He  refers  to  this  subject  in  the  following  language:  "I  entered 
the  freshman  class,  and  looked  forward  to  the  end  of  my  course 
of  studv,  when  I  should  go  forth  to  preach  the  gospel,  wherever 
ray  Master  might  send  me.  But,  as  to  preach  the  gospel, 
was  the  leading  motive  of  my  heart,  I  began  to  look  on  the  in- 
tervening years  of  study  with  some  degree  of  uneasiness,  espe- 
cially as  the  directors  of  my  education  had  determined  to  give 
me  a  thorough  course,  which  would  require  four  or  five  years 
more.  I  resolved  therefore  to  leave  college  at  the  end  of  the 
current  term,  and  to  throw  myself  on  the  providence  of  God, 
with  entire  devotion  to  His  work." 

With  reference  to  this  particular  circumstance,  and  the  pos- 


454  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

sibility  that  some  students  might  be  disposed  injudiciously  to 
imitate  the  example  of  Mr.  Davis,  Professor  Knowles  makes 
the  following  observations:  "Soon  after  he  entered  the  fresh- 
man class,  he  resolved  to  leave  college.  His  health  was  not 
firm,  and  he  feared  that  he  could  not  prosecute  to  the  end,  the 
course  of  study  which  he  had  commenced.  He  accordingly 
left  the  institution  in  the  summer  of  1823.  This  measure,  I 
may  say  with  entire  affection  for  his  memory,  did  not  meet 
with  the  approbation  of  many  of  his  best  friends.  My  dear 
brother  acted  conscientiously;  but  1  thought,  and  still  think, 
that  he  mistook,  in  that  instance,  the  path  of  duty.  I  should 
not  now  allude  to  it,  were  I  not  fearful  that  his  example  might 
have  some  influence  on  other  young  men  who  may  be  impa- 
tient of  study,  and  may  rush  into  the  field  without  his  talents, 
piety,  and  zeal.  It  is  no  proof  that  he  judged  rightly,  because 
he  has  been  useful.  Such  a  man  could  not  fail  to  be  useful, 
in  almost  any  circumstances.  But  how  much  more  useful 
might  he  not  have  been,  if  his  powerful  mind  had  been  tho- 
roughly disciplined,  and  amply  furnished  with  good  learning! 
That  he  has  died  young,  is  no  argument.  All  students  are  li- 
able to  die  before  they  complete  their  studies.  Many  have 
died  in  college,  or  at  the  theological  seminary,  or  in  a  year  or 
two  after  their  settlement  as  pastors.  Was  it,  therefore,  un- 
wise to  spend  any  time  in  preparatory  study?  The  plain  rule 
of  duty  is,  to  aim  at  the  greatest  usefulness,  and  to  make  the 
most  thorough  preparation  which  God's  providence  permits. 
The  length  of  our  lives  is  a  point  which  God  decides  at  his 
pleasure.  It  alters  not  our  duty.  We  may  live  many  years, 
and  we  must  not  disqualify  ourselves  for  prolonged  usefulness, 
by  calculating  on  a  short  course,  and  making  a  stinted  provi- 
sion. If  a  man  is  to  die  young,  there  is  so  much  the  more 
need  that  he  increase  his  power  as  much  as  possible,  so  as  to 
do  much  in  a  little  time.  Life  is  not  to  be  measured  by  years, 
but  by  the  amount  of  useful  labor  done;  and  if  a  man  can  so 
multiply  his  talents,  as  to  do  in  one  year,  more  than  he  could 
otherwise  accomplish  in  five,  the  church  will  be  a  gainer, 
though  he  should  die  early;  and  his  education,  we  have  reason 


NOAH     DAVIS.  455 

to  suppose,  will  make  him  a  fitter  instrument  for  his  Master's 
use,  in  the  next  world." 

There  is  some  reason  to  helieve,  that  Mr.  Davis  himself 
considered  his  abandonment  of  study,  premature,  and  regretted 
that  he  had  taken  this  step.  In  1825,  he  addressed  a  letter 
to  one  of  his  young  brethren  in  the  ministry,  urging  him  to 
obtain  an  education,  before  he  made  a  permanent  settlement. 
The  following  is  a  brief  extract:  "I  have  known  some  very 
eminent  ministers  to  regret,  that  when  young  in  the  ministry, 
they  preached  so  much,  and  devoted  so  little  of  their  time  to 
reading,  meditation,  &c.  that  their  minds  might  be  stored,  be- 
fore they  commenced  dealing  out  so  largely.  The  more  I 
preach,  the  more  I  feel  of  the  necessity  of  mental  cultivation. 
We  cannot  expect  a  great  abundance  of  fruit  from  ground 
which  has  not  been  well  tilled,  even  though  by  nature  it  may 
be  rich.  Many  young  preachers  start  off  as  soon  as  commis- 
sioned, as  if  the  world  were  to  be  taken  by  storm.  They  run 
well  for  a  season,  do  good,  I  hope;  but  soon  we  find  them, 
when  the  particular  season  for  improvement  has  gone  by,  set- 
tled in  s  mvi  obscure  corner,  and  having  to  contend  with  diffi- 
culties which  keep  them  at  one  stage  of  knowledge,  and  ac- 
ceptance, all  their  lives;  if,  indeed,  they  do  not  rather  decline 
■  i  these  things.  ?Tis  obviously  our  duty  then  to  endeavor  to 
secure  such  a  knowledge  of  our  implements  at  the  beginning, 
and  the  best  way  of  using  them,  that  we  may  become  work- 
men that  need  not  to  be  ashamed.  I  know  that  working,  only 
gives  the  power  of  doing  it  well,  if  the  necessary  qualifications 
be  possessed;  but  still  instruction  is  essential.  He  who  works 
all,  and  does  not  stop  to  take  lessons  of  the  master,  cannot  at- 
tain the  art  to  perfection.  We  are  authorised  to  covet  ear- 
nestly the  best  gifts." 

It  will  not  be  for  a  moment  questioned,  that  the  leading  mo- 
tive which  constrained  him  to  leave  college,  was  the  promo- 
tion of  the  Redeemer's  glory.  It  was  not  mere  indolence,  nor 
was  it  a  desire  to  enjoy  the  honors  of  the  Christian  ministry. 
His  love  to  Christ  and  to  immortal  souls,  like  an  overwhelm- 


456  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

ing  torrent,  bore  him  away.  From  his  earliest  connexion  with 
the  institution,  while  he  applied  himself  to  study,  he  could  not 
rest  unless  he  was  engaged  in  some  good  work.  The  subjoin- 
ed testimony  of  Professor  Knowles,  who  was  a  fellow  student, 
and  one  of  his  most  valued  friends,  deserves  a  place  here. 
"The  impression  made  by  Mr.  Davis,  on  his  fellow  students, 
was  rapid,  deep,  and  complete.  There  was  a  transparency  in 
his  character,  which  showed  at  once  all  its  parts  and  propor- 
tions. There  was  in  him  no  guile.  The  impression  which  he 
made  at  first,  was  never  changed.  Respect  for  his  under- 
standing, entire  confidence  in  his  piety,  and  love  for  the  virtues 
of  his  heart,  were  the  immediate  and  permanent  feelings  of  his 
fellow  students. 

"His  progress  in  study  was  rapid.  His  mind  was  strong, 
clear,  and  energetic.  He  was  more  distinguished  for  sound- 
ness of  understanding,  than  for  activity  of  imagination,  or  deli- 
cacy of  taste.  He  possessed  more  aptitude  for  mathematics, 
than  for  languages.  He  would  have  penetrated  more  easily 
the  discriminations  of  metaphysics,  than  the  beauties  of  the 
classics.  He  would  have  grasped  more  eagerly  and  success- 
fully the  massive  doctrines  of  theology,  than  the  refined  graces 
of  elegant  literature.  But  the  speedy  interruption  of  his  stu- 
dies, before  he  had  fully  acquired  the  habits  of  a  student,  has 
prevented  a  decided  judgment  respecting  his  intellectual  char- 
acter. 

"While  at  Philadelphia,  his  zeal  and  decision  displayed 
themselves.  He  supplied  for  several  months  a  destitute  con- 
gregation in  the  neighborhood  of  the  city.  His  mind  and  his 
hands  were  always  busy  in  his  Master's  service. 

"When  the  institution  was  removed  to  Washington  city,  in 
the  autumn  of  18:21,  he  removed  thither,  and  continued  his 
studies  preparatory  to  admission  into  the  freshman  class,  it 
being  the  decided  opinion  of  his  most  judicious  friends,  that  it 
was  his  duty  to  aim  at  a  complete  education. 

"Here  he  manifested  the  same  desire  for  usefulness,  the 
same  single-hearted  surrender  of  himself  and  of  all  his  powers, 
to  the  service  of  his  Saviour.     He  preached    frequently — he 


NOAH    DAVIS.  457 

visited  the  poor  families  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  college — 
he  was  punctual  and  devout  at  the  prayer  meetings  of  the  stu- 
dents— he  was  one  of  the  most  useful  members  of  the  Society 
for  Missionary  Inquiry.  The  writer  had  the  pleasure  of  being 
associated  with  him  in  sustaining  a  Sabbath-school  for  blacks, 
where  a  considerable  number  of  the  poor  slaves,  of  all  ages. 
from  childhood  to  three-score  years,  were  taught  to  read  the 
scriptures. 

Shortly  after  he  left  college,  he  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Mary  Young,  a  lady  in  all  respects  qualified  to  assist  in  the 
toils  of  the  Christian  ministry.  For  a  short  time  he  labored  in 
the  county  of  Accomac,  Virginia.  The  Lord  was  with  him, 
and  rendered  his  ministry  greatly  efficient  in  turning  trans- 
gressors from  their  sins.  He  was  also  very  useful  among  his 
brethren.  The  churches  had  become  cold  and  barren  under 
the  withering  influence  of  antinomianism.  Wherever  he 
went,  his  scriptural  exhibitions  of  truth,  his  simplicity  and 
zeal,  united  with  the  most  unaffected  piety,  commanded  the  at- 
tention and  won  the  esteem  of  all  who  heard  him. 

From  Accomac  he  removed  to  Norfolk,  and  became  pastor 
of  the  H  iptist  church  in  that  borough.  His  brief  residence 
here  was  attended  with  evident  marks  of  divine  approbation. 
With  untiring  diligence  he  applied  himself  to  pastoral  duties. 
But  lie  could  not  circumscribe  his  influence  within  this  narrow 
boundary.  His  benevolence  prompted  him,  like  his  divine 
Master,  to  go  about  doing  good.  There  are  some  who  are 
content  to  promote  human  happiness  only  when  placed  in  the 
midst  of  exciting  circumstances.  They  are  not  willing  to  lay 
aside  their  own  convenience  in  showing  kindness  to  others. 
No  pains  are  taken  to  seek  out  the  objects  of  wretchedness 
and  to  administer  relief.  Theirs  is  the  charity  which  says  to 
the  sufferer,  be  thou  warmed  and  clothed,  while  it  furnishes 
not  the  requisite  relief.  Rut  the  philanthropy  of  Davis  was 
of  a  purer  and  more  heavenly  kind.  He  was  ready  to  labor 
and  to  suffer  for  the  good  of  his  fellow  men.  "The  world 
needs,"  he  said,  "all  the  instrumentality  that  has  ever  been  at 
39* 


458  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

any  time  in  operation,  or  can  possibly  be  brought  to  act  upon 
it,  to  be  continued  until  it  shall  attain  the  degree  of  knowledge, 
holiness,  and  happiness,  which  will  mark  the  state  of  the  mil- 
lenium.  Let  us  not  be  weary  in  well  doing,  for  in  due  season 
we  shall  reap  if  we  faint  not." 

He  was  the  poor  man's  friend;  among  other  objects  to  which 
he  directed  his  attention,  was  the  improvement  of  seamen. 
His  active  spirit  was  not  satisfied  until  he  had  awakened  a 
sympathy  in  the  public  mind  in  behalf  of  this  neglected  class 
of  men.  His  efforts  resulted  in  the  formation  of  the  Seamen's 
Friends'  Society.  A  very  excellent  selection  of  hymns  for 
mariners  was  compiled  and  published  by  him.  In  all  the 
plans  of  Christian  benevolence  he  took  an  active  part. 

He  became  ardently  attached  to  the  church,  over  which  he 
exercised  the  pastoral  rule.  This  affection  was  reciprocated. 
He  cherished  a  deep  concern  for  their  advancement,  in  know- 
ledge and  holiness,  and  for  the  conversion  of  sinners.  During 
a  season  of  general  indifference,  he  writes: — "Religion  ap- 
pears to  pass  along  without  much  excitement.  I  pray  the 
Lord  to  revive  his  work  in  my  heart,  and  the  hearts  of  all  his 
ministers  and  children.  Then  generally  sinners  begin  to  be 
alarmed.  Here,  however,  hell  appears  not  to  terrify  them, 
nor  heaven  to  charm — they  walk  according  to  the  course  of 
this  world;  we  are  much  too  lukewarm;  may  the  Lord  pity  us." 

The  following  extracts  from  letters  written  during  his  resi- 
dence in  Norfolk,  afford  evidence  of  deep  personal  piety. 
They  were  addressed  to  his  wife: 

"January  14,  1826.  Had  one  of  the  best  times  in  preaching 
I  have  had  for  two  months.  I  hope  the  Lord  will  make  it 
useful.  I  am  nothing,  his  grace  must  work,  or  it  will  be  all 
in  vain.  But  he  will  bless  the  faithful  labors  of  those  whom 
he  sends,  replenishes,  and  upholds.  O  that  I  might  know  the 
power  of  his  grace  on  my  heart  more.  Have  had  sore  work 
in  my  soul  for  a  day  or  two.  If  I  am  a  child  of  God  'tis 
strange,  truly  a  wonder.  My  lusts  rebel,  and  bring  my  soul 
into  bondage.    O  my  dear,  pray  for  a  poor  wretch,  that  I  may 


NOAU    DAVIS.  459 

not,  after  preaching  to  others,  myself  become  a  castaway. 
What  grace  it  takes  to  save  such  a  sinner!  a  brand  plucked 
out  of  the  fire.  Let  others  depend  on  what  they  will,  it  will 
be  great  grace,  nothing  short  of  it  will  save  me.  O  that  we 
could  look  more  at  Christ  and  his  cross,  and  there  become 
crucified  ourselves.  As  Whitefield  says,  'the  old  man  dies 
hard,  but  die  he  must.J     Amen." 

"April  24,  1826.  Have  felt  a  good  deal  of  late  as  if  I  should 
soon  be  called  home  to  glory,  but  am  willing  to  stay  if  I  can 
be  instrumental  in  promoting  the  cause  of  ray  Master.  Have 
said  little  about  it,  knowing  the  thought  gives  you  pain.  But 
why,  my  dearest,  why  keep  me  a  day  or  an  hour  from  the  en- 
joyment of  supreme  bliss  and  never  fading  glory.  To  be  with 
Christ  is  far  better  than  to  be  toiling  with  an  imperfect  and 
sinful  body.  But  his  counsel  shall  stand.  Neither  of  us  shall 
go  off  a  day  or  moment  before  our  work,  which  he  means  to 
do  for,  in,  and  by  us,  is  done.  Tarry  his  leisure  then.  My 
soul  is  almost  in  raptures  at  the  thought  of  being  forever  with 
Jesus.  Why  not  think  and  talk  of  heaven  more.  Surely  it 
would  make  us  more  spiritually  minded — more  diligent  in  fill- 
ing up  our  short  stay  with  service  for  God,  and  less  appalled 
at  the  idea  of  change.  But  it  must  come.  He  that  shall  come, 
will  come,  and  will  not  tarry.  Even  so  Lord  Jesus  come 
quickly.  This  is  the  way  to  begin  heaven,  and  the  song  of 
free,  sovereign,  everlasting,  unchangeable  love.  There  is  my 
hope.  Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  thee,  O  Lord,  my  Saviour, 
and  who  on  earth  is  desirable  besides  thee,  or  in  comparison 
of  thee.  Surely  you  are  willing  for  me  to  love  Christ  above 
all.  Yes,  love  him  yourself,  for  he  is  altogether  lovely.  He 
deserves  the  first  place  in  our  hearts.5' 

"July  28,  1827.  It  has  probably  occurred  to  you,  my  love, 
that  this  is  my  birth  day.  It  is  now  twenty-five  years  since  I 
began  to  live  on  the  earth.  And  for  what,  save  a  little  thai 
has  been  done  in  the  last  eight  years,  and  that,  not  I,  but  the 
grace  of  God  which  has  been  with  me,  there  is  nothing  on 
which  I  can  look  with  any  proper  satisfaction.     And  how  have 


460  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

these  years  been  stained  with  sin.  Yea,  I  daily  deserve  the 
lowest  hell, 

•The  sins  of  one  most  righteous  day, 
Might  plunge  us  in  despair.' 

But  having  obtained  the  help  of  God,  I  continue  to  this  day  a 
monument  of  mercy  and  but  a  feeble  advocate  for  the  truth. 
My  soul  is  under  much  darkness,  or  if  there  is  light,  there  is 
want  of  heat,  and  which  is  worse,  darkness  or  coldness?  1  do 
desire  to  begin  to  live  for  God.  I  have  begun  to  die,  and  the 
destroyer  will  be  here.  Days,  and  years,  and  lives  pass  away 
like  a  flood.  O  to  be  a  Christian.  By  the  death  of  Jesus,  to 
conquer  and  rise  to  heaven!'' 

"July  28,  1828.  Although  I  wrote  to  you  yesterday,  I  feel 
like  indulging  in  the  same  pleasure  on  my  birth-day.  Its  occur- 
rence reminds  me  that  I  am  twenty-seven  years  old,  and  this 
month  finds  me  ten  years  a  professor  of  hope  in  Jesus;  nine,  a 
minister  of  the  glorious  gospel,  six  years  your  affectionate  hus- 
band, and  my  boy  one  year  old.  How  many  of  the  most  import- 
ant events  of  my  pilgrimage  have  been  crowded  into  this  month, 
and  where  will  another  twenty-seven  years  bring  me.  Most 
probably  to  the  judgment-seat,  and  I  trust,  though  of  all  others 
most  unworthy,  to  a  dwelling  place  at  my  Saviour's  right  hand. 

•O  glorious  hour,  O  blest  abode, 
I  shall  be  near  and  like  my  God, 
And  flesh  and  sense  no  more  control 
The  sacred  pleasures  of  the  soul.' 

Ten  of  my  years  I  have  been  called  a  Christian.  How  unwor- 
thily I  have  lived,  Jesus  knows.  On  the  arms  and  promise  of 
his  mercy,  I  cast  myself  and  mine.  That  he  gives  blessings  to 
the  undeserving  and  vile,  is  the  only  reason  we  can  have  for 
hope.  O  that  he  may  forgive  all  my  sins,  and  do  you  my  love 
forgive  all  my  deficiencies  of  good  conduct  towards  you.  Too 
often  have  1  offended  God  and  the  generation  of  his  chosen, 
and  I  desire  forgiveness,  not  only  from  him,  but  from  all  the 
world.  What  incentives  should  conscious  deficiencies  be  to 
greater  diligence  in  doing  His  will,  who  so  soon  will  bring  us 
to  judgment.   I  feel  ashamed  and  grieved  that  with  the  bible  in 


NOAH    DAVIS.  4G1 

my  hands,  and  eternity  before  me,  I  have  lived  so  negligently. 
And  1  dare  not  promise  to  do  better  for  the  time  to  come. 
Without  Christ  I  can  do  nothing,  and,  I  have  not  fully  proved 
the  truth  of  the  words,  'Through  Christ  which  strengthened 
me,  I  can  do  nil  things.'*  I  have  been  praying  for  more  grace 
to  do  his  will  as  an  heir  of  glory,  that  I  may  no  longer  grieve 
the  Holy  Spirit,  and  may  not  give  any  offence  to  the  church  of 
God.     Lord  help  me,  for  thy  help  I  need." 

A  short  extract  will  be  given  from  his  diary: — "January  3. 
Expounded  Matt,  vii,  1 — 12,  this  evening.  Very  few  at  meet- 
ing. Had  not  much  liberty  in  speaking.  Fear  my  people 
(the  church  in  Norfolk)  see  some  defect  in  me  which  renders 
my  labors  useless  to  them.  Lord  help  us  to  search  and  see. 
O  search  us  thyself,  and  try  us,  and  see  if  there  be  any  evil 
way  in  us,  and  lead  us  in  the  way  everlasting.  I  feel  my  very 
great  deficiency,  and  instead  of  being  surprised  that  so  few 
come,  I  ought  rather  to  be  so,  that  any  attend  my  ministry. 
Fear  1  shall  be  left  to  myself  at  sometime  to  mortify  my  pride 
and  self-sufficiency.  O  thou  whose  compassions  never  fail, 
look  in  pity  on  my  soul.  O  give  me  thy  spirit,  and  let  it  be 
poured  out  from  on  high  on  the  people." 

"July  10th.  A  week  ago  from  this,  completed  the  third  year 
of  my  married  life.  I  thank  God  for  giving  me  such  a  com- 
panion. Our  pathway  has  not  been  free  from  thorns,  but  these 
we  must  expect  in  the  wilderness  of  this  world.  We  have  had 
some  difficulties,  and  were  bereaved  of  our  first-born,  but  the 
Lord  has  shown  us  so  much  of  his  goodness  and  mercy  amid 
all,  that  we  have  to  account  them  as  matters  of  thankfulness, 
instead  of  discontent;  we  have  not  learned  as  much  as  we  prob- 
ably ought  and  might  from  his  corrections;  but  we  hope  they 
have  not  passed  by  as  wholly  unprofitable.  No  doubt  we  shall 
see  the  time  when  they  shall  be  numbered  among  the  greatest 
mercies  of  our  lives. 


'Ye  fearful  saints  fresh  courage  take, 
The  clouds  ye  so  much  dread; 

Are  big  with  mercies  and  will  break 
With  blessings  on  your  head.'  " 


462  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

It  has  been  already  intimated  that  Elder  Davis'  residence 
in  Norfolk  was  of  short  duration.  To  his  suggestions  the  Bap- 
tists are  indebted  for  the  existence  of  the  Baptist  General 
Tract  Society.  In  a  letter  written  to  a  brother  in  Washing- 
ton, dated  February  14th,  1824,  he  thus  exhibits  his  sentiments 
on  the  subject.  "I  have  been  thinking  for  some  time,  how  a 
Tract  Society  can  be  gotten  up  in  Washington,  which  shall  hold 
the  same  place  among  Baptists,  that  the  American  Tract  So- 
ciety does  among  Congregationalists.  I  now  feel  very  much, 
the  necessity  of  having  tracts  to  scatter  in  the  waste  places. 
It  is  a  plan  of  doing  good  scarcely  thought,  of  among  Baptists." 

Such  was  the  influence  of  his  appeals,  that  a  meeting  was 
called,  and  on  the  25th  of  February,  1824,  the  society  was 
formed.  Under  the  judicious  management  of  Mr.  George 
Wood,  the  society  continued  to  advance  until  at  his  suggestion 
and  the  advice  of  others,  it  was  located  in  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  Mr.  Davis  was  invited  to  the  management  of  its 
concerns.  This  office  being  accepted,  there  was  now  opened 
before  him  a  new  and  interesting  field  of  labor.  The  position 
was  high  and  commanding.  It  afforded  the  opportunity  of 
exerting  a  salutary  influence  over  the  whole  denomination. 
Perhaps  nowhere  could  he  have  found  so  wide  a  scope  for  the 
employment  of  his  talents,  and  few  men  were  as  well  qualified 
as  he  to  occupy  the  station.  He  was  pre-eminently  fitted  for 
the  work.  His  mind  was  of  that  energetic  cast,  that  he  was  able 
to  grasp  and  control  the  weighty  interests  of  a  national  insti- 
tution. His  views  were  enlarged — his  aims  lofty  and  noble. 
Had  he  been  a  mere  worldling,  he  would  have  found  himself 
in  his  proper  element,  when  engaged  in  grand  and  important 
enterprises.  But  beside  his  natural  talent  for  business,  the 
heart  of  Davis  had  felt  the  expansive  power  of  Christian  be- 
nevolence. He  knew  how  to  sympathise  with  the  woes  of  a 
guilty  world,  and  he  aimed  to  relieve  them.  For  this  he  en- 
tered the  agency  of  the  Tract  Society.  ''His  heart,"  says  Mr. 
Knowles,  "was  in  the  work;  a  qualification,  without  which,  no 
man  ever  accomplished  much.  He  possessed  unusual  talents 
for  business.     He  was  active,  affable,  and  prompt.     He  spoke 


H 


NOAn  davis.  463 


ith  tluoncy,  and  when  excited,  with  much  power  and  eloquence 
His  lull,  loud,  and  sonorous  voice;  his  manly  person,  his  simple, 
direct,  and  forcible  diction,  gave  him  great  advantages  in 
preaching,  and  especially  in  occasional  addresses." 

The  following  reference  to  his  efforts  and  success  in  the 
agency,  is  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  William  T.  Brantley,  who  was 
intimately  associated  with  him  in  the  operations  of  the  Tract 
Society.  k'The  removal  of  our  departed  brother  from  Norfolk, 
and  the  transfer  of  the  tract  operations  from  Washington  to 
Philadelphia,  at  his  instance,  were  among  the  last  important 
changes  in  his  life.  Here  he  entered  the  field  of  labor  with  all 
his  might.  The  little  interest  which  had  almost  subsided  into 
non-existence,  began  in  his  hands  to  gain  strength,  and  to  as- 
sume a  new  character.  He  enlarged  the  plan,  reduced  to 
method  its  disjointed  parts,  roused  our  dormant  energies,  and 
infused  into  the  whole  concern  a  new  spirit  of  action.  His 
habits  of  good  management  and  economy  were  carried  into 
this  service;  his  capacity  and  readiness  in  shaping  into  prac- 
ticable dimensions  a  complex  system,  were  of  admirable  use  in 
a  business  consisting  of  so  many  minor  details.  But  the  rapid 
growth  of  the  society,  the  increasing  demand  for  its  publica- 
tions, the  extension  of  its  operations  to  almost  every  part  of  this 
union,  will  evince  with  more  force  than  we  can  command,  the 
value  of  those  labors  bestowed  upon  it  by  its  assiduous  and  in- 
telligent  agent.  The  estimate  of  his  usefulness  must  not  be 
restricted  to  the  particular  avocation  which  we  are  now  con- 
sidering. Besides  his  main  business  of  preaching  by  means  of 
tracts,  he  sounded  the  gospel  abroad  in  many  places  where  he 
travelled,  ami  in  others  he  preached  more  statedly  with  great 
effect.  He  collected  and  published  many  useful  facts  connected 
with  the  statistics  of  our  denomination.  He  was  ready  to  aid 
by  his  presence  and  countenance  every  good  proposition;  and 
was  always  among  the  first  to  contribute  such  means  as  were 
at  his  disposal,  for  the  promotion  of  useful  expedients. 

His  mind  was  naturally  capable  of  great  research.  He  could 
divest  difficult  subjects  of  their   obscurity,  could   see   readily 


464  BIOCRATHY    OP 

through  the  mazes  of  an  intricate  proposition,  could  arrange 
and  methodize  a  multifarious  business,  and  conduct  doubtful 
plans  to  a  good  result.  Many  of  his  addresses  from  the  pulpit, 
and  on  occasions  connected  with  public  objects,  were  distin- 
guished by  much  force,  and  discrimination.  They  will  be 
long  remembered  by  many  whose  hearts  were  deeply  affected 
by  his  moving  appeals." 

In  one  respect,  Elder  Davis  was  peculiarly  well  qualified 
for  the  office  he  filled.  He  entertained  scriptural  views  of 
Christian  benevolence.  In  all  his  correspondence,  and  public 
addresses,  he  urges  the  duty  of  ransomed  sinners,  to  work  for 
God.  He  considered  the  church  as  belonging  to  Christ,  and 
sought  to  rouse  the  denomination  of  which  he  was  a  member, 
to  regard  their  obligations.  Referring  to  this  subject,  he  says: 
"There  is  great  responsibility  resting  on  the  Baptists  of  the 
United  States,  for  'to  whomsoever  much  is  given,  of  him  shall 
be  much  required.'  At  least  two  millions  of  the  population  of 
this  country  are  so  connected  with  us,  that  the  work  of  preach- 
ing the  gospel  to  them  must  be  done  mainly  through  our  efforts. 
Many  millions  in  other  portions  of  the  earth  are  accessible  to 
the  ministers  of  Christ,  to  whom  men  should  be  sent  from  us 
with  the  word  of  life.  Are  we  exerting  ourselves  to  fulfil  our 
duty  to  these  dying  millions?  Have  we  begun  to  do,  what  we 
can  and  ou  ;ht  to  do  for  them?  Are  our  ministers  engaged  as 
they  should  be  in  the  work  of  the  Master?  Are  they  striving 
not  only  to  feed  the  people  with  knowledge  and  understanding, 
but  also  to  provoke  them  to  activity  in  promoting  the  prosperity 
of  Zion?  Much  we  know  is  done  by  many,  but  very  much 
more  remains  to  be  effected  The  Baptists  of  this  land,  be- 
cause of  their  numbers  and  resources,  are  capable  of  doing 
great  things.  We  profess  purity  of  faith.  Our  holy  lives, 
and  zealous  endeavors  to  convert  souls,  ought  to  show  it.  Is 
it  then  our  duty,  or  is  it  not,  to  pray  and  labor,  and  give  of 
our  substance,  that  the  'way  of  God  may  be  known  upon 
earth,  and  his  saving  health  among  all  nations.' 

There  is  one  interesting  fact  connected  with  the  life  of  this 


NOAH    DAVIS.  465 

worthy  man,  which  deserves  a  special  record.  In  the  early 
part  of  his  Christian  course,  he  indulged  a  strong  desire  to 
spend  his  life  in  some  part  of  the  heathen  world.  An  abiding 
confidence  in  the  prophecies  concerning  the  latter-day  glory, 
was  cherished.  Casting  his  eye  over  this  apostate  globe,  and 
recollecting  what  God  had  promised,  his  constant  prayer  was, 
Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do?  In  the  sincerity  of  his 
heart,  he  said,  speak  Lord,  for  thy  servant  heareth.  The  fol- 
lowing references  to  his  feelings  on  this  subject,  furnish  an 
indication  of  disinterested  anxiety  to  do  the  will  of  God. 

Addressing  his  brethren  in  the  early  part  of  1825,  he  says: 
"The  spirit  of  missions  is  love  to  souls;  therefore,  by  their 
value,  we  entreat  you  all  to  become  missionaries  at  home — 
to  your  families  and  neighborhoods.  This  will  afford  the  best 
proof  that  you  are  sincere  in  your  professions  of  love  to  the 
Redeemer  and  his  cause.  Pray  for,  and  exhort  all  around 
you,  that  they  may  seek  an  interest  in  the  Saviour's  merits; 
distribute  bibles,  tracts,  and  other  useful  books.  The  Lord 
often  blesses  these  means.  And  know,  that,  whosoever  con- 
verted) a  sinner  from  the  error  of  his  ways,  shall  save  a  soul 
from  death,  and  shall  shine  as  a  star  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ 
above." 

In  his  diary  for  1926,  he  thus  writes:  "I  have  had  my  mind 
much  on  the  subject  of  missionary  work,  among  the  heathen. 
Endeavored  last  night  to  move  the  spirit  of  it  among  my 
people.  I  read  at  the  prayer  meeting,  Rev.  Gordon  Hall's 
address  to  American  Christians  and  ministers.  Surely  we 
wrong  the  souls  of  the  perishing  heathen,  by  doing  so  little 
for  them.  The  work  of  a  missionary  must  be  truly  self-deny- 
ing, trying,  and  laborious.  It  requires  much  of  the  spirit  of 
.Jesus,  untiring  zeal,  and  inextinguishable  love.  In  meditating 
on  this  subject,  I  have  had  some  uncommon  views  of  my  own 
weakness  and  insignificance.  The  work  appears  so  important, 
that  if  it  be  the  will  of  God,  and  I  can  be  assured  of  it,  I  will 
go  any  where  among  the  dying  nations  to  make  known  the 
Saviour's  love.  I  dare  not  say  that  I  have  the  necessary  grace; 
40 


466  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

but  1  know  Christ  can,  and  will  give  it  to  me,  if  he  wills  me 
to  go  into  this  department  of  labor." 

"October  6th,  1826.  How  am  I  to  know  whether  it  is  the 
will  of  Christ  for  me  to  go  to  any  part  of  the  heathen  world? 
This,  to  me,  is  an  important  and  interesting  inquiry.  1  have, 
I  trust,  a  love  for  Jesus;  a  delight  in  his  work;  a  love  of  souls, 
and  particularly  a  compassion  for  the  miserable  heathen. 
They  are  given  to  Christ  for  an  inheritance,  and  he  has  pro- 
mised to  lake  possession  and  save  a  multitude  of  them.  I 
should  be  glad  to  have  the  privilege  of  preaching  Christ  cru- 
cified to  any  of  them.  To  one  engaged  in  such  a  work,  the 
promises  of  Christ  ought  to  be  exceedingly  precious.  The 
effort  has  been  made  by  hundreds,  and  why  should  not  I  do  as 
much  as  others,  when  my  obligations  are  no  less?" 

Thus  was  our  dear  brother  long  agitating  the  question, 
whether  he  should  labor  in  foreign  lands  or  remain  in  this 
country.  But  having  been  pressingly  urged  to  engage  in  the 
tract  agency,  and  finding  in  it  a  wide  range  for  doing  good,  he 
considered  it  an  indication  of  the  divine  pleasure  that  he  should 
occupy  this  field.  But  he  did  not  therefore  relinquish  the 
views  and  feelings  of  a  missionary.  The  labors  upon  which 
he  entered  when  he  removed  to  Philadelphia  were  arduous 
and  involving  great  responsibility,  and  his  great  object  was  to 
subserve  the  interests  of  Christ's  kingdom  and  the  salvation  of 
souls.  There  never  was  a  period  to  the  close  of  his  life,  when 
he  would  not  joyfully  have  followed  the  leadings  of  Providence 
as  a  messenger  of  glad  tidings  to  the  most  distant  clime. 
The  following  record  from  his  journal,  refers  to  this  subject: 
"Yesterday  completed  my  twenty-fifth  year.  The  review  of  the 
past,  discovers  the  changing  nature  of  life  and  its  connexions. 
I  have  changed  my  place  of  residence,  given  up  a  pastoral  care, 
and  instead  of  being  a  missionary  in  some  distant  part  of  the 
world,  am  now  in  Philadelphia,  agent  of  the  Baptist  General 
Tract  Society.  It  is  an  important  station,  and  one,  in  which, 
if  the  Lord  will,  I  may  be  very  useful.  Any  where,  or  any 
how,  dear  Lord,  only  let  me  serve  my  generation  according  to 


NOAH    DAVIS.  467 

thy  will.  I  think  I  should  feel  no  unwillingness  to  be  a  mis- 
sionary,  and  to  embark  in  the  toils  and  trials  of  such  a  work. 
But  the  Lord  knows  what  is  best  for  me,  and  he  may  see  that 
I  am  not  fit  for  that  work,  but  has  other  labor  for  me  to  per- 
form. I  sometimes  fear  that  I  am  not  in  the  right  place,  be- 
cause I  have  so  little  personal  comfort  in  religion  and  com- 
munion with  God  in  secret." 

"Any  where,  or  any  how,  only  let  me  serve  my  generation 
according  to  thy  will."  This  was  the  ruling  desire  of  his 
heart.  It  was  in  perfect  conformity  to  such  a  sentiment  that 
he  toiled  in  the  tract  cause.  Expressions  of  the  self-denying 
spirit,  which  he  habitually  cherished,  and  which  would  have 
taken  him  any  where.  Mr.  Brantley  says:  "Noah  Davis  pos- 
sessed qualities  of  no  common  kind.  His  capacity  for  the 
transaction  of  business,  would  have  insured  him  wealth  and 
respectability  in  any  community.  The  patronage  under  whihc 
he  could  have  entered  upon  commercial  pursuits  in  Philadelphia, 
was  such  as  few  young  men  could  boast.  Nor  was  his  mind 
naturally  so  formed  as  to  be  indifferent  to  the  inducements  of 
secular  advantage.  But  he  had  learned  Christ  in  such  a  man- 
ner, as  to  become  willing  to  consecrate  to  him  all  the  talents 
which  he  possessed.  He  was  prepared  to  forego  the  comfort 
and  accommodation  of  houses,  lands,  and  kindred,  to  serve  the 
blessed  Jesus." 

The  following  testimony  to  his  disposition  to  seek  not  his 
own,  but  another's  good,  is  furnished  by  Elder  John  L.  Dagg. 
"The  trait  of  brother  Davis'  character,  which  was  least  known, 
even  to  his  intimate  friends,  was  his  disinterestedness.  Though 
I  was  myself  very  intimate  with  him,  my  estimate  of  his  char- 
acter in  this  respect  has  undergone  a  great  change,  by  the 
perusal  of  his  numerous  letters  of  his  most  confidential  corres- 
pondence with  her  who  shared  equally  in  all  his  secular  inter- 
ests. And  yet  I  cannot  make  any  extract  which  will  exhibit 
the  proof  that  these  manuscripts  furnish  on  this  point:  for  it  is 
not  by  any  professions  or  positive  declarations  which  these  con- 
tain, that  this  trait  is  discoverable,  but  by  the  absence  of  every 


468  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

thing,  that  would  have  proceeded  from  a  mind  not  free,  in  an 
extraordinary  degree  from  worldly  care.  Every  letter  is  re- 
ligious; not  one  is  secular.  Scarcely  an  inquiry  or  suggestion, 
respecting  their  private  interests,  is  to  be  found  in  the  whole 
mass.  Many  an  anxiety  is  expressed  for  the  health  and  spir- 
itual prosperity  of  his  family,  and  many  a  calculation  of  dollars 
for  the  tract  society  is  made;  but  not  one  for  the  replenishing 
his  purse,  often  nearly  reduced  to  emptiness.  His  letters  are 
full  of  affection  for  his  wife  and  children,  and  of  information, 
plans,  hopes,  and  fears,  respecting  the  tract  society,  and  other 
objects  connected  with  the  interests  of  religion;  but,  except 
the  bare  details  of  his  journey,  they  contain  nothing  else.  Of 
information,  plans,  hopes,  and  fears,  respecting  the  pecuniary 
interests  of  himself  and  family,  they  are  absolute  emptiness. 
Yet  the  great  part  of  this  correspondence,  was  carried  on  at 
times  when  he  was  travelling  in  the  services  of  the  tract  so- 
ciety, and  when  his  income  was  barely  sufficient  for  his  family 
support.  When  he  left  Norfolk,  to  take  the  agency  of  the 
tract  society,  his  income  was  $600:  and  a  school,  which  his 
wife  taught,  with  his  occasional  assistance,  added  about  $1,200. 
Instead  of  this,  as  she  distinctly  recollects,  he  stated  to  her 
that  he  expected  for  the  first  years  of  his  services,  as  agent,  to 
receive  from  $200  to  $400  per  annum,  and  to  take  a  school  in 
Philadelphia,  was  neither  designed  nor  attempted.  Assuredly 
it  was  not;  and  any  one  who  will  read  these  letters,  will  know, 
that  it  was  not  for  the  salary  of  the  agency,  that  he  accepted 
the  office. 

"To  the  preceding  remarks  there  is  one  exception  that  I 
have  noticed — if  exception  it  deserves  to  be  called.  It  is  found 
in  a  letter  written  on  the  way  to  Utica,  August  16,  1827.  An 
allusion  is  here  made  to  personal  interest:  but  it  is  made  in 
such  a  manner  as  evinces  the  caution  and  self-distrust  with 
which  he  approached  that  subject.  'There  is  a  time  coming 
when  if  I  continue  agent  of  the  society,  (as  I  presume  I  shall,) 
it  will  be  necessary  for  me  to  remain  almost  constantly  at  home. 
The  correspondence,  &c.  will  be  so  much,  that  I  shall  not  be 


NOAH   DAVIS.  469 

able  to  leave  it  and  you  long  at  a  time.  When  that  comes  to 
pass,  it  will  be  in  connection  with  such  an  increase  of  funds, 
that  I  shall  have  no  need,  on  account  of  personal  interest,  to 
take  journeys.  Though  I  speak  of  personal  interest  as  having 
something  to  do  in  stimulating  my  exertions,  I  dont  know  how 
much  effect  it  lias;  I  will  leave  you  to  judge,  who  know  per- 
haps quite  as  well  as  I  do.' 

"To  evince  his  indifference  or  superiority  to  the  praise  of 
men,  one  extract  will  suffice.  It  alludes  to  some  praises  that 
our  deceased  brother,  A.  W.  Clopton,  had  bestowed  on  him. 
I  must  premise  that  he  had  the  greatest  respect  for  brother 
Clopton,  and  valued  his  judgment,  honesty,  piety,  and  zeal, 
very  highly.  The  words  are:  'Clopton's  puff  superlative,  will 
do  us  no  good.  None  of  us  are  doing  what  we  might  do,  for 
God's  cause.  All  have  occasion  to  be  humbled  on  account  of 
our  short-comings,  and  confess  ourselves  to  be  unprofitable 
servants.  I  never  felt  my  deficiencies  as  an  agent,  more  than 
lately.  He  does  not  know  how  much  others  are  doing,  or  he 
would  not  say  so.'  " 

It  would  gratify  his  friends  in  Norfolk  to  read  an  extract  of 
a  letter  written  by  him  soon  after  his  removal  from  that  place, 
in  which  appears  the  deep  interest  that  he  felt  in  their  spiritual 
welfare:  "But  brother  Hendren's  letter — how  many  different 
sensations  were  exrited  in  my  mind,  in  about  half  an  hour! 
He  says,  'they  have  heard  from  brother  Broaddus,  and  he  can- 
not go.  It  is  uncertain,  as  to  brother  Ball.  He  is  to  visit 
them  next  month.  They  have  had  no  preaching  for  some 
time;  but,  in  the  midst  of  all,  a  revival  has  commenced. 
Brother  D.,  I  wish  you  were  here;  but,  as  you  are  not,  do 
pray  for  us,  intercede  with  the  Lord  to  carry  on  his  work  here; 
it  would  do  you  good  to  see  those  weeping,  to  whom  you  once 
preached.'  This  is  good  news,  indeed!  O  Lord,  revive  thy 
work  more  and  more.     O  revive  it  in  our  poor  hearts." 

In  the  preceding  extracts  from  his  correspondence  and  jour- 
nal, enough  is  found  to  evince  the  ardor  of  his  love  to  God,  and 
the  strength  of  his  sympathy  for  dying  men.     His  attainments 
40* 


470  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

in  holiness,  were  of  no  ordinary  character.  Nor  could  it  be 
otherwise.  He  was  much  with  God.  In  contemplating  the 
divine  excellence,  there  will  be  felt  a  transforming  influence. 
Beholding,  as  in  a  glass,  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  we  are  changed 
into  the  same  image  from  glory  to  glory,  even  as  by  the  spirit 
of  the  Lord.  Thus  it  was  with  our  esteemed  brother.  He 
was  a  man  of  prayer.  From  the  mount  of  communion  with 
God,  he  often  came  down — his  heart  burning  with  holy  desire 
to  diffuse  abroad  the  heavenly  influence  he  had  received.  The 
extract  which  follows,  from  the  pen  of  Brainerd,  was  found  in 
his  pocket-book  after  his  decease.  He  could  experimentally 
adopt  the  sentiment  as  his  own: 

Glory  of  God.  "My  heaven  is  to  please  God,  to  give  all  to 
him,  to  be  wholly  devoted  to  his  glory;  that  is  the  heaven  I 
long  for;  that  is  my  religion;  that  is  my  happiness,  and  always 
was,  ever  since  I  suppose  I  had  any  true  religion.  I  do  not  go 
to  heaven  to  get  honor,  but  to  give  all  possible  glory  and 
praise.  It  is  no  matter  where  1  shall  be  stationed  in  heaven, 
whether  1  have  a  high  or  low  seat  there;  but  to  love,  and 
please,  and  glorify  God,  is  all.  Had  I  a  thousand  souls,  (if 
they  were  worth  any  thing,)  I  would  give  them  all  to  him; 
but  I  have  nothing  to  give,  when  all  is  done.  My  heart  goes 
out  to  the  burying  ground;  it  seems  to  me  a  desirable  place; 
but,  oh!  to  glorify  God;  that  is  it,  that  is  above  all.  It  is  a 
great  comfort  for  me  to  think,  that  I  have  done  a  little  for  God, 
in  the  world.  Oh!  it  is  a  very  small  matter;  yet  I  have  done 
a  little,  and  lament  that  I  have  not  done  more  for  him.  There 
is  nothing  in  this  world  worth  living  for,  but  doing  good,  liv- 
ing to  God,  pleasing  him,  and  doing  his  whole  will.'' 

In  one  of  his  letters,  he  thus  describes  a  season  of  special 
religious  enjoyment:  "I  was  alone  in  my  room,  I  gave  myself 
to  prayer;  the  season  was  particularly  comfortable;  I  felt  an 
unusual  reluctance  to  leave  the  delightful  service.  You  had 
been  borne  before  the  Lord  in  supplication.  In  rising  from  my 
knees,  in  a  sweet  frame  of  mind,  I  began  to  pace  the  floor,  when 
the  love  of  Jesus  appeared  to  be  manifest  to  my  soul,  after  the 


NOAH    DAVIS.  471 

manner  of  increase  of  morning  light.  I  was  filled  with  grati- 
tude at  his  mercy.  My  soul  exulted  in  its  God;  I  breathed 
forth  its  sensations;  tears  of  joy  flowed  from  my  eyes.  The 
Lord  seemed  indeed  present.  Never  before  did  I  feel  such  joy 
unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.  I  felt  love  to  the  children  of  the 
Saviour,  and  astonished  at  the  fact  that  I  was  experiencing  this 
without  possessing  any  worthiness,  and  when  I  did  not  seem 
to  look  for  it  more  than  at  other  times.  Then  I  regretted, 
that  so  soon  this  foretaste  would  pass  away.  O,  why  not  al- 
ways weep  tears  of  joy!  why  not  always  experience  the  love 
of  God  shed  abroad  in  the  soul!  Then  my  thoughts  turned  to 
glory,  where  there  will  be  no  cessation  or  interruption  of  our 
bliss.  1  thought  of  our  love,  and  rejoiced  principally.  I  thank- 
ed God  for  it,  that  we  are  one  in  Christ.  1  asked  myself  the 
question — would  I  prefer  to  go,  to  be  with  Jesus,  to  staying 
with  you?  Yes,  said  I,  (if  it  were  God's  will,)  even  this  night. 
She  is  Christ's,  and  will  soon  be  there;  and  how  shall  we  place 
earthly  joys,  that  are  transient,  in  competition  with  heavenly, 
which  are  eternal?  How  shall  any  one  be  preferred  to  the 
Lord  our  Redeemer?  Indeed,  I  felt  that  I  would  leave  you  in 
the  Lord's  hands;  and  felt  assured,  that  his  favor  and  presence, 
is  of  infinitely  more  consequence  to  you,  than  I  can  possibly  be 
in  any  way  whatever.  I  thank  my  Master  for  this,  and  hope 
that  many,  many  more  such  seasons,  may  be  mine.  But  I 
find  that  1  am  in  the  world  yet,  to  serve  my  Master  I  trust, 
and  be  perfected  in  fitness  for  his  presence,  with  exceeding  joy." 

A  few  days  previous  to  the  date  of  this  letter,  he  thus  writes 
in  his  diary,  July  25th,  1829:  "Ten  years  ago,  I  was  baptized 
into  Jesus  Christ,  and  first  partook  of  the  Lord's  supper,  in  the 
Sansom  street  church,  Philadelphia.  Ten  years!  how  soon 
have  they  gone  forever!  And  how  little  have  I  done  for  the 
honor  of  my  Master,  and  the  salvation  of  men!  Blessed  be 
his  name,  he  has  not  forsaken  me,  nor  allowed  me  to  forsake 
him  or  his  cause.'' 

One  who  knew  him  best,  thus  speaks  of  his  latter  days: 
"For  the  last  two   months,  I  believe  that  the  Lord  was  pre- 


472  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

paring  him  for  that  unutterable  bliss  which  he  is  now  enjoy- 
ing. A  spirit  of  meekness  seemed  to  rule  all  his  conduct. 
Seldom  have  I  seen  more  of  the  spirit  of  Christ,  in  any  of  his 
followers.  A  holy  calmness  seemed  to  have  taken  possession 
of  his  mind.  He  was  sensibly  alive  to  every  relative  claim; 
but  these  claims,  closely  as  they  were  wound  about  his  heart, 
were  all  subservient  to  his  Master's  cause." 

In  reference  to  his  sudden  death,  brother  Brantley  remarks: 
"His  health  was  infirm;  and  though  his  application  to  the  du- 
ties of  his  station  was  unremitting  and  efficient,  yet  he  often 
groaned,  being  burdened  under  the  frailties  of  a  feeble  consti- 
tution. Those  of  less  decision  and  zeal,  than  he  possessed, 
would  have  resigned  themselves  to  supineness  and  inaction,  un- 
der such  bodily  infirmities  as  he  endured.  But  he  counted 
not  his  life  dear,  in  view  of  the  weighty  care,  which  the  inter- 
est of  his  fellow  men  devolved  upon  him.  We  have  seldom 
known  an  instance,  in  which  the  spending,  and  being  spent, 
for  God,  were  more  in  accordance  with  true  Christian  devo- 
tedness.  Death  could  not  come  unexpected  to  him.  His  tran- 
sit from  us,  was  sudden,  but  not  confused.  For  a  long  time 
we  had  seen  him  reaching  forth  after  the  incorruptible  inheri- 
tance; spreading  his  wings  for  flight;  raised  aloft  on  the  summit 
of  holy  hope,  and  viewing,  with  intense  delight,  the  distant 
scenes  of  the  promised  glory.  All  his  matters  were  arranged, 
his  house  was  in  order,  and  he  was  awaiting  his  final  discharge. 

"It  would  have  been  grateful  to  have  a  dying  testimony  from 
the  lips  of  such  a  Christian.  It  would  have  been  grateful,  to 
bedew  with  the  farewell  tear  of  affection,  the  conscious  bosom 
of  such  a  brother.  But  these  small  mitigations  of  our  grief, 
could  not  he  allowed: — the  loss  of  sensation  and  consciousness, 
were  the  fatal  symptoms  under  which  his  manly  form  sunk, 
almost  without  warning.  The  spirit  that  lingered  a  short  time 
about  him,  could  not  control  its  shattered  and  dismembered 
tenement.  We  were,  therefore  left  to  witness,  without  the 
ability  to  relieve,  the  last  struggles  of  a  prostrate  frame.  The 
month  of  July,  in  which  he  was  born — in  which  he  was  bap- 


NOAH    DAVIS.  473 

tized — in  which  he  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry — 
in  which  he  was  married,  witnessed  his  passage  from  time  to 
eternity.  He  died  on  Thursday  morning,  15th  July,  a  few 
days  less  than  twenty-eight  years.'' 

The  Tract  Magazine,  of  which  he  was  editor,  contains  an 
allusion  to  this  affecting  event:  "This  No.  closes  the  earthly 
labors  of  the  late  editor.  It  is  a  satisfaction  to  the  writer  of 
this,  that  he  has  been  enabled  to  finish  it  thus  far  in  the  very 
words,  and,  as  he  believes,  arranged  exactly  as  the  editor  would 
have  done  it  himself.  Providence  seems  to  have  spared  him 
just  long  enough  to  leave  it  so,  that  it  could  be  easily  finished, 
and  it  is  believed  that  he  has  left  all  his  business  in  the  same 
easy  train  of  completion;  so  that  it  may  be  said  of  him,  that 
he  had  finished  the  work  that  had  been  given  him  to  do. 
Though  taken  apparently  in  the  midst  of  his  years,  (being  only 
twenty- eight  years  of  age,)  and  in  the  midst  of  his  usefulness, 
his  .Master  accomplished  by  him  his  own  wise  purposes,  and 
then  relieved  him  from  the  pains  and  anxieties  of  this  life,  and 
took  him  to  the  enjoyment  of  himself." 

On  the  13th  instant,  in  the  afternoon,  he  felt  a  little  indis- 
posed, and  took  some  medicine,  supposing  he  would  feel  better 
after  it.  In  the  evening,  the  physician  was  sent  for.  About 
twelve  o'clock,  he  became  insensible,  and  continued  so  'till  six 
o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  15th,  when  he  breathed  his  last. 
As  he  had  no  premonition  of  his  approaching  end,  he  had  not 
any  opportunity  of  leaving  a  dying  experience.  It  was  not  ne- 
cessary. His  life  was  sufficient  evidence  of  his  state.  The 
opportunity  the  writer  of  this  had  of  seeing  him  devote  his 
days  and  his  nights  to  the  service  of  his  Master,  leaves  no  doubt 
on  his  mind  of  his  present  situation. 

Thus  died  one  of  the  most  talented,  lovely,  and  useful  ser- 
vants of  Christ,  which  the  present  century  has  known.  In  the 
vigor  of  life,  he  was  taken  away.  How  unexpectedly  did  he 
surrender  his  stewardship; 

"Many  fall  as  sudden,  few  as  safe." 

The  following  reference  made  to  his   removal,  and  some 


474  BIOGKAPHY    OF 

other  interesting  circumstances,  is  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Dagg: 
"He  has  left  a  text  book  of  sixty-two  pages,  in  which  are  re- 
gularly noted  all  the  sermons  that  he  preached  during  the  last 
four  and  a  half  years  of  his  ministry.  The  last  sermon  was 
preached  at  Haddonfield,  N.  J.  July  4th,  1830,  from  the  words, 
'But  of  him  are  ye  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  of  God  is  made  unto 
us  wisdom,  and  righteousness,  and  sanctification,  and  redemp- 
tion.' 1  Cor.  i,  30.  The  insertion  of  this  text  filled  up  the 
last  page  of  the  book,  except  a  small  space,  in  which  he  wrote 
the  following  lines,  subscribing  them  with  his  name;  'I  was 
baptized  July  4th,  1819,  and  have  been  a  preacher  ten  years. 
Have  preached  eight  hundred  and  thirty-eight  times,  which  is 
eighty-three  and  eight-tenths  sermons  a  year.  Can  only  sub- 
scribe myself  an  unprofitable  servant,  and  beg  for  mercy  to  a 
sinner  through  the  sufficient  merit  of  Jesus.' 

"Thus  he  filled  up  his  book  and  his  ministry  precisely  eleven 
years  from  the  day  of  his  baptism.  Thus  he  subscribes  his 
name;  and  casting  himself  upon  the  merits  of  his  Redeemer, 
closed  the  account  of  his  ministerial  labors.  Death,  unseen, 
stood  at  his  side  as  he  executed  the  deed.  But  he  was  prepared, 
at  any  moment,  to  meet  the  ghastly  messenger,  and  had  he  seen 
his  terrific  form,  he  would  probably  have  closed  the  account 
just  as  he  did.  A  few  weeks  before  his  death,  I  was  cast  low 
upon  a  bed  of  sickness,  from  which  I  expected  never  to  rise. 
He  visited  me  with  brethren  David  Jones,  Thomas  Brown,  and 
Joseph  Cone,  all  able  ministers  of  the  New  Testament,  and 
among  my  most  intimate  friends,  dearly  beloved  in  the  Lord. 
They  all,  I  think,  expected,  as  I  did,  that  the  time  of  our  sep- 
aration was  near,  but  how  little  did  any  of  us  understand  the 
inscrutable  purposes  of  God.  The  time  of  separation  was  in- 
deed near,  for,  in  a  few  short  months,  all  these  brethren  were 
taken  to  their  rest;  while  I  am  still  tossed  on  life's  tempestuous 
sea,  not  knowing  which  wave  is  destined  to  receive  me.  To 
the  affectionate  attentions  of  brother  Davis,  the  restoration  of 
my  health  was,  in  a  great  measure,  attributable.  As  soon  as 
I  was  able  to  take  exercise  in  a  carriage,  he  not  only  devised 


NOAH    DAVIS.  475 

measures  to  procure  that  exercise  for  me,  but,  with  assiduous 
care,  accompanied  me  each  day  in  the  short  excursions  1  was 
at  first  able  to  make.  Afterwards,  he  projected  a  plan  to  take 
me  with  him  on  one  of  his  tours  in  the  service  of  the  Tract 
Society,  designing  to  bestow  such  attention  to  my  slowly  return- 
ing health,  as  would  tend  to  re-establish  it.  This  plan  his  death 
frustrated.  His  solicitude  for  my  recovery,  resulted,  not  so 
much  from  personal  attachment  to  me,  as  from  love  to  the 
cause  of  Christ,  in  which  he  believed  my  life  might  be  useful. 
The  shock  which  I  received  from  the  sudden  announcement  is 
never  to  be  forgotten.  I  had  not  heard  of  his  illness.  He 
vanished  from  us,  as  brother  Brantley  has  expressed  it,  like  a 
winged  dream.  So,  though  by  a  less  hasty  flight,  have  Jones, 
and  Brown,  and  Cone  departed.  Surely  this  life  is  all  a  dream. 
How  unlooked  for,  how  wonderful,  how  astonishing  are  its 
events.  Great  Author  of  my  being,  give  me  acquiescence  in 
thy  will,  and  help  me  to  fill  up  the  measure  of  my  days  in 
some  useful  service  in  thy  cause;  and  when  thou  shalt  call  me 
hence,  give  me  a  place  among  those  who  have  thus  taught  me 
how  to  live  and  how  to  die." 

An  extract,  from  the  pen  of  Professor  Knowles,  will  close 
this  sketch.  "I  may  say,  with  entire  truth,  that  the  death  of 
Mr.  Davis  is  a  loss  to  our  denomination,  and  to  the  Christian 
world.  While  his  feelings  were  liberal  towards  all  men,  and 
he  cordially  prayed  that  grace,  mercy,  and  peace,  might  be 
multiplied  to  all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity, 
he  felt  a  special  concern  for  the  welfare  of  our  own  churches. 
It  was  a  desire  for  their  benefit,  which  impelled  him  to  exer- 
tion in  the  cause  of  tracts.  It  was  because  he  was  convinced 
that  our  churches  would  be  more  generally  interested  in 
tracts,  if  there  were  a  society  under  our  own  control,  that  he 
advocated  its  cause,  whilst  towards  that  noble  institution,  the 
American  Tract  Society,  he  felt  the  utmost  cordiality.  He 
collected,  with  »roat  labor,  the  statistics  of  the  denomination, 
and  his  annual  table  of  associations,  published  in  the  Tract 
Magazine,  was  the  most  accurate  and  complete  account  of  our 


476  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

churches  which  has  been  published.  Perhaps,  no  young  man 
among  us,  was  contributing  more  directly  and  powerfully  to 
advance  the  interests  of  the  Baptist  denomination.  His  influ- 
ence is  not  to  be  measured  by  the  importance  of  the  office 
which  he  filled,  though  that  was  a  post  of  great  usefulness. 
His  office  merely  furnished  a  medium,  through  which  his  ener- 
getic mind,  and  his  warm  love  to  God  and  man,  were  enabled 
to  act  on  the  Christian  community.  It  was  a  kind  of  observa- 
tory, from  which  he  could  look  abroad  on  the  wants  and  inter- 
ests of  the  churches,  and  from  which,  with  telegraphic  rapidity, 
he  could  spread  among  them  the  kindling  emanations  of  his 
own  and  other  minds.  Though  his  immediate  object  was  the 
distribution  of  tracts,  yet  there  was  no  exclusiveness  in  his 
aims  and  efforts.  He  regarded  the  cause  of  the  Saviour  as 
one,  combining,  indeed,  many  interests,  which  may  be  advan- 
tageously separated  and  pursued  individually,  with  concentrated 
force;  yet  he  viewed  that  cause  like  the  rainbow,  in  which  the 
several  rays  of  light  are  blended,  and  the  prism  through  which 
he,  in  his  official  character,  contemplated  it,  only  presented  its 
colors  to  his  eye,  in  a  more  beautiful  and  distinct  relation  to 
each  other.  Missions,  education,  Sabbath  schools,  the  distribu- 
tion of  the  bible,  all  modes  of  benevolent  enterprise,  held  a  place 
in  his  heart,  and  claimed  a  share  of  his  efforts,  while  he  was 
directly  toiling  in  the  great  cause  of  tracts. 

He  never  sunk  into  a  mere  agent.  In  the  pulpit  he  preached 
with  the  zeal  of  a  missionary,  and  the  free  hearted  affection 
of  a  pastor.  At  a  missionary  meeting,  he  would  plead  for  the 
heathen  with  an  expansion  of  thought  and  feeling  which 
stretched  beyond  the  comparatively  little  space  in  which  he 
was  laboring,  to  the  wide  limits  of  the  great  field,  the  world. 
Those  who  attended  the  session  of  the  Boston  Association,  in 
1829,  will  not  soon  forget  the  spirit-stirring  eloquence  with 
which  he  urged  the  necessity  of  efforts  to  increase  the  number 
and  the  qualifications  of  our  ministers.  It  is  worth  mentioning 
here,  as  an  illustration  of  the  zeal  and  liberality  of  his  heart, 
that,   at  the  association;  when  a  subscription  was  commenced 


JOHN    SPOTTS.  4T7" 

to  aid  the  Massachusetts  Baptist  Education  Society,  he  rose 
and  offered  his  watch,  as  a  contribution  to  the  funds" 

He  is  gone.  Let  us,  who  remain  a  while  longer,  gird  our- 
selves for  increased  diligence,  looking  for  that  blessed  hope, 
and  the  glorious  appearing  of  the  great  God,  and  our  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ. 


JOHN     SPOTTS 


Elder  Spotts  was  born  8th  of  October,  1784.  His  pa- 
rents were  of  German  origin,  and  resided  in  the  valley  of  Vir- 
ginia. In  the  earlier  part  of  his  life,  he  was  employed  for  a 
number  of  years  as  a  clerk  in  a  store.  He  made  a  public  pro- 
fession of  religion  by  connecting  himself  with  the  Presbyte- 
rian church,  when  about  thirty  years  of  age.  His  attention 
was  immovably  fixed  on  this  all-important  subject  by  an  alarm- 
ing dream,  in  which  he  thought  the  day  of  judgment  had  ar- 
rived, and  he  was  unprepared  for  its  awful  solemnities.  While 
every  intelligent  person  discards  that  superstitious  belief  in 
dreams  that  belongs  only  to  the  ignorant,  there  are  but  few 
who  will  not  acknowledge  that  our  heavenly  Parent  may  con- 
vert to  useful  purposes,  the  fanciful  creations  of  the  mind  in 
our  sleeping  moments. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  an  active  elder  in  the  church 
with  which  he  stood  connected,  for  a  number  of  years.  More 
than  twenty  years  of  his  life  was  devoted  to  teaching,  during 
the  greater  part  of  which  time  he  had  the  management  of  the 
English  department  in  the  Lewisburg  academy.  The  estima- 
tion in  which  he  was  held  as  an  instructor,  may  be  learned  from 
the  fact,  that  his  school  was  generally  crowded  to  overflowing. 

His  usefulness  as  a  Sunday-school  superintendent,  cannot  be 
fully  developed  on  this  side  of  eternity.  He  was  among  the 
first  that  engaged  in  this  work  of  benevolence  in  western  Vir- 
ginia; and  during  the  space  of  sixteen  years,  nothing  but  an 
•inavoidable  circumstance  would  induce  him  to  be  absent  from 

*By  L.  A.  Alderson.  -» 

41 


478  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

his  school.  With  melancholy  pleasure  does  the  writer  look 
back  upon  those  Sabbaths,  when  brother  Spotts,  with  feelings 
"too  big  to  be  uttered,"  would  direct  his  pupils  to  him  who 
said,  "Sufler  little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them 
not,  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven."  Nor  were  his 
efforts  in  vain,  for  many  of  his  scholars  became  the  humble 
followers  of  the  Redeemer,  and  more  than  twenty  of  them 
engaged  in  the  gospel  ministry,  one  of  whom  is  now  a  mis- 
sionary in  China.  "He  being  dead,  yet  speaketh,"  through 
those  who  were  once  taught  by  him. 

He  was  among  the  first  to  engage  in  the  cause  of  the  tem- 
perance reformation.  His  influence  was  not  confined  to  the 
Lewisburg  Temperance  Society,  over  which  he  presided,  but 
by  the  distribution  of  tracts,  and  public  addresses,  he  circu- 
lated information  through  the  circumjacent  country,  and  in 
various  places  formed  new  societies.  Such  was  his  opposition 
to  intemperance,  that  he  could  not  have  full  confidence  in  any 
professor  of  religion  who  would  drink  or  sell  spirituous  liquors. 

The  mind  of  brother  Spotts  having  undergone  a  change  on 
the  subject  of  baptism,  he  connected  himself  with  the  Big 
Levels  Baptist  church,  which  now  worships  in  Lewisburg,  on 
the  7th  of  August,  1831.  Soon  afterwards  he  engaged  in  the 
ministry;  and  on  the  6th  of  May,  1832,  he  was  ordained 
by  a  presbytery  consisting  of  Elders  V.  M.  Mason,  A.  Free- 
man, and  E.  VV.  Woodson.  In  the  course  of  the  subsequent 
year,  he  was  employed  as  a  missionary,  in  which  service  he 
remained  until  October  last.  The  board  had  no  laborer  that 
was  more  persevering  and  untiring  in  his  efforts  than  he. 

He  died  of  bilious  pleurisy,  on  Tuesday,  the  10th  instant, 
after  a  short  illness  of  eight  days.  Previous  to  his  death,  he 
spoke  of  his  departure  with  calmness  and  resignation.  He 
said  he  did  not  fear  to  die.  On  one  occasion,  after  prayer, 
he  repeated  the  following  appropriate  lines: 

"My  suffering  time  will  soon  be  o'er, 
Then  1  shall  weep  and  sigh  no  more; 
My  ransomed  soul  shall  soar  away 
To  sing  God's  praise  in  endless  day." 


JOHN    A.    DAVIDSON.  479 

His  latest  breath  was  spent  in  exhortation  to  those  that  sur- 
rounded Ins  dying  pillow.  As  the  stars  of  night  melt  away 
in  the  light  of  the  rising  sun,  so  do  the  spirits  of  the  just  dis- 
appear— hut  they  disappear  that  they  may  be  drawn  nearer  to 
the  sun  of  righteousness. 

Elder  Spotts,  in  his  manner  of  preaching,  inclined  to  be 
warm  and  animated,  rather  than  critical.  He  was  possessed 
of  much  zeal,  and  above  all,  of  ardent  piety,  a  qualification, 
without  which,  no  minister  of  the  gospel  can  gain  any  great 
success.  Whatever  might  have  been  his  errors,  we  feel  con- 
vinced that  they  must  have  been  errors  of  the  head,  and  not  of 
the  heart.  His  great  desire  for  the  welfare  of  those  among 
whom  he  ministered,  induced  him  to  exercise  self-denial,  and 
preach  the  gospel  under  most  trying  circumstances.  But  his 
labors  are  over.  That  voice,  which  to  so  many  has  spoken 
the  truths  of  redeeming  love,  we  firmly  believe,  is  still  em- 
ployed on  the  same  theme,  but  in  more  glorious  circumstances. 
April,  1838. 


JOHN    A,    DAVIDSON. 

This  servant  of  Christ,  the  son  of  Elder  Samuel  Davidson, 
was  a  native  of  Campbell  county,  Virginia.  He  is  said  to  have 
possessed  a  peculiarly  amiable  disposition.  But  these  he  was 
enabled  to  perceive,  were  not  sufficient  to  entitle  him  to  the 
kingdom  of  heaven.  In  the  eighteenth  year  of  his  age,  he 
was  brought  under  the  renovating  influence  of  the  divine 
Spirit,  and  felt,  in  its  divine  power  and  energy,  the  whole  force 
of  the  language  of  the  Saviour,  "Ye  must  be  born  again. '' 
He  now  saw  the  perishing  nature  of  all  earthly  enjoyments, 
and  that  he  could  not  be  happy,  but  in  the  favor  of  God.  He 
sought  the  salvation  of  his  immortal  soul,  and  soon  was  ena- 
bled to  testify  that  Jesus  Christ  hath  power  on  earth  to  forgive 
sins.  He  attached  himself  to  the  Baptist  church,  and  from 
that  time  to  the  hour  of  his  dissolution,  he  invariably  sus- 
tained the  character  of  a  decided  and  uniform  Christian. 


480  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

Soon  after  his  conversion,  he  became  impressed  with  the 
immense  value  of  immortal  souls,  and  with  the  conviction  that 
it  was  his  duty  to  call  sinners  to  repentance,  and  preach  the 
unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  to  a  lost  and  ruined  world.  He 
conferred  not  with  flesh  and  blood,  but  yielded  to  the  heavenly 
mandate;  and  many  a  weeping  penitent  was,  by  him,  pointed 
to  the  blood  and  agony  of  Calvary,  and  to  "the  Lamb  of  God 
that  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world."  Some  of  these  will 
gratefully  remember  his  ardent  prayers  for  their  conversion, 
long  after  nature  has  covered  his  grave  with  "its  mantle  of 
green."  The  silent  bosom  of  earth  has  received  his  dust;  his 
voice  is  hushed  in  death;  but  with  him  death  and  the  grave 
were  despoiled  of  their  terrors. 

In  his  humble,  meek,  and  holy  life,  he  exhibited  "lucid  proof 
of  the  divinity  of  the  gospel  which  he  preached.  Retiring 
and  unobtrusive  in  his  manners,  he  lived  without  reproach, 
possessing  a  conscience  void  of  offence  towards  God  and  man. 
To  all  who  saw  him  during  his  illness,  he  gave  the  most  in- 
dubitable evidence  of  patient  resignation,  and  a  confidence 
firm  and  unshaken,  and  full  of  immortality  beyond  the  grave. 
His  affliction  was  of  five  or  six  weeks'  continuance,  and  he 
bore  it  with  patience  and  resignation.  He  had  frequently  been 
delirious  until  the  morning  of  his  dissolution,  at  which  time  he 
was  perfectly  in  his  senses,  and  well  aware  that  the  cold  hand 
of  death  was  upon  him.  He  met  the  grim  monster  without 
dismay,  and  was  enabled  to  say,  "I  am  perfectly  happy  and 
resigned,5'  and  then  shouted,  "Glory  to  God,  hallelujah!"  And 
continued,  "Come  Jesus!  come  quickly!  Oh,  Jesus  let  me  go! 
Why  cannot  I  go  now?  Oh,  let  me  go."  He  repeated,  with 
peculiar  emphasis,  the  following  verse: 

"Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 

Feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are; 
While  on  his  breast  I  lean  my  head, 

And  breathe  my  life  out  sweetly  there." 

He  feelingly  exhorted  those  around  him  to  seek  the  salva- 
tion of  their  souls,  and  try  to  meet   him  in  heaven.     Just  be- 


JAMES    G.    JEFFRIES.  481 

fore  he  expired,  he  applied  to  his  own  case  the  words  of  the 
apostle — "I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course, 
I  have  kept  the  faith.  Henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a 
crown  of  righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  judge, 
shall  give  me  at  that  day."  His  declining  sun  set  without  a 
cloud.  The  weary  wheels  of  life  gently  ceased  to  move — his 
exit  was  so  easy,  that  it  was  not  exactly  known  when  the  spirit 
took  its  flight. 


JAMES    G,    JEFFRIES. 


Tue  subject  of  this  memoir,  James  G.  Jeffries,  was  called 
on  to  give  an  account  of  his  stewardship,  before  he  had  reached 
the  meridian  of  his  days.  He  was  cut  down  in  the  midst  of 
his  usefulness.  A  short  account  of  his  life,  and  dying  exercises, 
will  not  be  uninteresting. 

He  was  born  of  respectable  parents,  in  the  county  of  Lunen- 
burg, Va.  Being  both  members  of  the  church  of  Christ,  they 
strove  to  bring  up  their  children  in  the  fear  and  admonition  of 
the  Lord.  These  efforts  were  not  in  vain,  for  in  early  life, 
their  son  James  manifested  much  serious  concern  for  the  sal- 
vation of  his  soul.  He  was  often  deeply  affected  with  a  recol- 
lection of  death,  and  a  fear  of  the  displeasure  of  God.  These 
exercises  were,  however,  interrupted  by  seasons  of  gaiety;  in 
which  he  would  seem  to  forget  the  wretchedness  of  his  case, 
and  his  exposure  to  the  curse  of  the  law:  allured  by  those 
temptations  which  so  often  beguile  the  unwary  youth,  he  would 
engage  in  the  pleasurable  amusements  of  his  day  with  seeming 
enjoyment;  though,  even  then,  his  mind  was  the  seat  of  anxiety 
and  perturbation.  After  many  changes  from  temporary  inquiet- 
ude to  carelessness  of  spirit,  it  pleased  the  Lord,  whose  mercy 
is  higher  than  the  heavens,  to  affect  his  mind  habitually  with 
a  sense  of  his  lost  condition,  and  to  introduce  him  into  the 
kingdom  of  Christ.  He  made  a  public  and  good  profession, 
before  many  witnesses;  and  on  being  immersed,  became  con- 
41* 


482  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

nected  with  Tusekiah  church  in  the  county  of  Lunenburg,  on 
the  13th  of  September,  1816. 

He  soon  evinced  a  strong  concern  for  the  salvation  of  sin- 
ners, by  exhorting  them  to  flee  the  wrath  to  come;  from  this 
period  he  became  an  active  and  laborious  servant  of  Christ,  in 
dispensing  his  word  for  the  instruction  and  sanctification  of 
his  fellow  men.  He  travelled  extensively  in  the  counties  lying 
between  the  Roanoke  river  and  Petersburg,  supplying  as  often 
as  he  could,  the  destitute  churches  at  Cutbanks,  Reedy  creek, 
Cedar  creek,  and  Flat  rock,  which  lie  in  the  lower  part  of  the 
Meherrin  Association.  His  preaching  too,  was  not  in  vain; 
it  was  in  the  power  and  demonstration  of  the  Holy  Spirit — 
often,  when  expatiating  on  the  love  of  Christ  to  a  dying  world, 
his  countenance  would  assume  an  almost  heavenly  appearance; 
and  his  sentences,  rich  and  chaste,  would  roll  from  his  lips 
with  melting  power  upon  his  audience. 

His  manner  in  the  pulpit  was  exceedingly  interesting;  per- 
haps no  man  was  better  able  than  he,  to  chain  the  attention  of 
those  whom  he  addressed.  His  appearance  was  dignified  and 
graceful,  his  style  easy  and  flowing,  and  his  face  seemed  always 
to  be  lighted  up  with  benevolence.  But  what  rendered  him 
particularly  an  object  worthy  of  regard  and  imitation,  was  his 
spirituality  of  mind,  and  devotion  to  the  cause  of  God.  He 
seemed,  when  he  arose  to  preach,  to  have  been  casting  his  eye 
over  the  desolations  which  sin  had  introduced,  and,  overpowered 
with  holy  compassion,  to  have  been  weeping  between  the  porch 
and  the  altar.  Whilst  he  looked  over  the  miseries  of  a  world 
lying  in  wickedness,  he  took  care  to  present  no  other  way  of 
escape,  but  Jesus  Christ,  and  him  crucified.  He  was  eminently 
an  evangelic  teacher,  insisting  among  professors,  on  the  neces- 
sity of  holy  lives  as  evidence  of  living  faith.  In  the  social 
circle,  he  was  no  less  interesting.  From  his  childhood,  he  was 
distinguished  for  tenderness  of  soul,  and  affability  of  manners, 
and  consequently  won  the  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him. 

It  is  not  to  be  wondered,  that  such  a  man  should  be  admired 
and  beloved.     But  it  pleased  the  Father  of  mercies,  to  afflict 


JAMES    G.   JEFFRIES.  463 

the  church  below,  in  his  removal  to  the  church  triumphant 
above.  Carnal  reason  cannot  penetrate  the  cloud  which  over- 
hangs this  dispensation;  but  it  should  be  ours  to  bow  with 
adoring  humility,  and  in  the  language  of  the  apostle  to  say,  O! 
the  depth  of  the  riches,  both  of  the  wisdom  and  knowledge  of 
God,  how  unsearchable  are  his  judgments,  and  his  ways  past 
finding  out.  The  agony  of  this  affliction,  is  much  mitigated, 
in  a  recollection  of  the  transport  and  resignation  with  which  he 
left  the  world.  Some  of  the  circumstances  of  his  last  illness 
and  death,  will  be  presented,  which  have  been  culled  from  a 
letter,  written  by  a  friend  a  few  days  after  he  expired. 

For  some  time  previous  to  his  death,  which  was  in  the  year 
1821,  he  was  afflicted  with  a  pain  in  his  chest,  which  was  fre- 
quently attended  with  a  spitting  of  blood.  In  consequence  of 
this  weakness,  his  friends  often  endeavored  to  prevail  on  him 
to  desist  speaking  in  public,  until  his  health  should  be  establish- 
ed. His  zeal,  however,  for  the  promotion  of  his  Master's 
cause,  was  so  great,  that  he  was  deaf  to  all  their  remonstran- 
ces, counting  not  his  life  dear  unto  him,  that  he  might  win  souls 
to  Christ.  The  last  sermon  (except  one)  he  was  enabled  to 
preach,  was  delivered  in  the  most  zealous  and  pathetic  manner, 
although  at  the  time  he  labored  under  considerable  indisposi- 
tion of  bod}-.  He  observed  to  the  congregation,  that  in  conse- 
quence of  the  weakness  in  his  chest,  he  felt  himself  unable  to 
address  them,  but  when  he  looked  around,  and  saw  many  of 
his  dear  friends  in  their  sins,  he  could  not  forbear — he  went 
on  to  preach  a  lengthy  discourse.  About  thirteen  days  before 
his  death,  he  preached  his  last  sermon  at  Bethel  meeting- 
house, Mecklenburg  county,  Virginia,  from  Isaiah  xxviii,  16, 
"Therefore  thus  saith  the  Lord  God,  behold  I  lay  in  Zion  for 
a  foundation  stone,  a  tried  stone,  a  precious  corner  stone,  he 
that  bclieveth  shall  not  make  haste."  This  discourse  will  never 
be  forgotten  by  many  who  heard  him;  with  uncommon  ear- 
nestness and  animation,  he  exhibited  the  safety  of  those  who 
build  their  hopes  on  Christ;  and  with  peculiar  affection,  pre- 
sented the  wretchedness  of  the  impenitent  and  unbelieving. 


4&4  BIOGRAPHY     OP 

Although  he  was  indisposed  at  this  time,  his  friends  at  that 
place  little  expected  they  should  see  his  face  no  more  on  earth. 
A  few  days  after,  he  attended  a  church  meeting  at  Laurel 
meeting,  Lunenburg  county,  Virginia,  when  he  gave  a  short, 
but  comprehensive  exhortation  to  his  brethren,  on  the  subject 
of  church  discipline:  he  besought  them  in  a  feeling  manner  to 
attend  church  meetings,  and  not  to  let  the  cares  of  the  world 
keep  them  at  home. 

It  commenced  raining  before  the  meeting  was  dismissed, 
and  getting  wet,  he  was  taken  sick  that  night,  and  confined  to 
his  room  nearly  all  the  next  day.  Being  with  his  aunt,  he  ob- 
served, he  thought  "he  was  to  be  greatly  afflicted  in  some  way 
or  other,''  but  added,  "it  is  all  for  the  best,"  quoting  the  language 
of  David,  "before  I  was  afflicted  I  went  astray,  but  now  have  I 
kept  thy  word."  Having  arrived  at  one  of  his  uncles,  he  was 
taken  much  worse  on  the  Tuesday  before  he  died;  and  a  phy- 
sician  was  called. 

On  Friday,  the  symptoms  of  his  disease  became  much  more 
alarming,  so  that  his  friends  began  to  fear  he  would  not  re- 
cover. From  this  time  until  Lord's  day,  he  continued  to  grow 
worse,  but  his  soul  was  on  the  mount  in  full  prospect  of  a  rest 
from  all  his  labors.  For  two  or  three  days  he  conversed  much 
with  those  who  visited  him,  and  exhorted  them  according  to 
their  circumstances.  On  the  day  he  died,  he  called  his  bro- 
ther Thomas,  (who  is  now  a  living  minister  of  the  gospel,) 
and  in  the  most  affectionate  manner,  exhorted  him  to  be  faith- 
ful to  his  trust,  in  proclaiming  the  way  of  salvation;  he  then 
embraced  every  person  in  the  room,  both  black  and  white,  and 
said,  "It  is  strange  that  the  Lord  has  strengthened  me  to  talk 
so  much,  do  1  talk  plainly?''  His  aunt  told  him  he  did.  "I  am 
glad  of  it,"  said  he,  "for  I  wish  you  to  understand  me,  and  to 
see  that  I  am  not  delirious  nor  deceived,  in  this  trying  time." 

After  he  had  embraced  every  person  in  the  room,  he  said, 
"farewell  vain  world,  farewell  sin,  O  death  where  is  thy  sting! 
boasting  grave  where  is  thy  victory!  This  evening  I  shall  join 
the  angels  in  a  song  of  everlasting  praise."  The  physician  then 


GEORGE    H.    RAYNOLDS.  485 

gave  him  some  wine  and  water,  of  which  he  drank  a  little,  and 
said,  "take  it  away,  I  shall  drink  no  more  of  it,  until  I  drink  it 
fresh  in  my  Father's  kingdom."  Nature  then  was  so  exhaust- 
ed, that  he  appeared  to  be  fast  sinking  in  the  cold  embrace  of 
death.  About  this  time  his  father  came  in;  his  aunt  asked 
him  if  he  knew  his  father?  "O  yes,"  said  he,  "I  know  him." 
"How  are  you,  my  son?''  said  his  father.  He  replied  with  a 
feeble  voice,  "father,  I  am  yet  alive.''  His  father  then  asked 
him,  "if  he  had  still  an  assurance  of  divine  favor?"  "O  bless 
the  Lord!"  he  replied,  with  stronger  emphasis  than  before. — 
After  a  few  moments,  he  seemed  to  revive,  and  turning  over, 
with  a  smiling  countenance,  said,  "Come,  sweet  Emanuel,  come; 
come,  sweet  Emanuel,  come!"  He  spoke  several  times  to  those 
around  him  after  this,  though  quite  indistinctly,  and  about  one 
o'clock  on  Lord's  day,  the  9th  of  September,  he  bid  a  final 
adieu  to  this  world  of  sin  and  sorrow,  and  entered  upon  the 
enjoyment  of  an  eternal  Sabbath  at  the  right  hand  of  God. 

Although  some  time  has  elapsed  since  this  afflicting  event 
took  place,  he  still  lives  in  the  memories  and  affections  of 
hundreds,  and  eternity  alone  will  disclose  the  amount  of  good 
accomplished  through  his  instrumentality.  May  the  vineyard 
of  the  Lord  be  abundantly  supplied  with  workmen  like  him, 
and  may  the  earth  speedily  be  converted  to  God. 


GEORGE    H,    RAYNOLDS. 


Tin:  subject  of  this  notice  was  born  October  27th,  1801, 
near  Front  Royal,  Frederick  county,  Va.  He  was  the  only 
child  of  his  fond  parents,  whose  blind  indulgence  gratified 
his  every  desire,  and  left  him  without  restraint,  either  moral 
or  religious.  The  grace  of  God  is,  therefore,  signally  displayed 
in  his  very  early  conversion,  and  call  to  the  ministry.  It  was 
his  father's  design  to  educate  him  for  the  medical  profession, 
and  he  spared  no  pains  to  give   his  son  such   advantages  as 

*  Abridged  from  a  manuscript  furnished  by  Elder  Joseph  Baker. 


486  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

would  fit  him  for  distinction  He  was  accordingly,  when 
quite  young,  placed  at  a  classical  academy  in  the  town  of 
Winchester,  and  there  engaged  in  the  studies  necessary  to 
prepare  him  for  entering  a  collegiate  course.  While  at  Win- 
chester, he  attended  the  preaching  of  Elder  George  C.  Sed- 
wick,  and,  through  his  instrumentality,  was  brought  by  the 
grace  of  God,  to  discover  his  lost  state  as  a  sinner,  was  led  to 
submit  his  soul  to  Christ,  and  being  desirous  to  obey  all  God's 
precepts,  he  was,  in  conformity  to  his  command,  ''buried  with 
Christ  by  baptism"  on  the  29th  of  July,  1319,  when  about 
eighteen  years  of  age.  The  heart  of  this  youth  now  burned 
with  anxiety  to  recommend  to  perishing  sinners  the  Saviour 
whom  he  loved,  and  he  became  solemnly  impressed  with  the 
duty  of  preaching  the  gospel.  His  father,  though  opposed  to 
religion  in  general,  and  particularly  to  his  son's  profession  of 
it,  was  yet  a  friend  to  education,  and  seeing  his  resolute  deter- 
mination to  devote  himself  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  was 
induced  to  comply  with  his  desire,  and  allow  him  an  opportu- 
nity of  making  the  best  theological  attainments  in  his  power. 
He  was,  therefore,  placed  at  the  theological  school  in  Phila- 
delphia, taught  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Staughton,  who  subsequently 
expressed  the  opinion,  that  this  young  man  possessed  a  sprightly 
mind,  with  much  practical  genius.  His  attainments  in  general 
literature  were  highly  respectable,  and  his  talents,  as  a  public 
speaker,  of  that  order,  which  rendered  him  acceptable  to  the 
church,  and  popular  generally.  He  was  married  to  Miss  F. 
C.Williams,  September  27,  1821,  and  was  ordained  October 
12th,  1822.  He  was  soon  after  appointed  principal  of  the 
academy  at  Berrysville,  Frederick  county,  which  office  he 
held  until  the  time  of  his  death.  He  labored  as  a  minister 
with  Buck  marsh  church,  near  Berrysville,  over  which  he  was 
pastor,  in  conjunction  with  Dr.  J.  Monroe.  Thus  was  an  in- 
viting field  of  usefulness  presented  to  this  youthful  servant  of 
the  Lord,  with  the  brightest  hopes  of  success;  but  the  Lord, 
"who  sees  not  as  man  sees,''  was  pleased  to  blight  these  fair 
prospects  and  suddenly  to  lay  his  instrument  aside.     In  the 


JAMES    D.    M  ALLISTER.  487 

fall  of  1824,  a  bilious  disease  attacked  him,  and  terminated 
his  earthly  career  on  the  24th  of  September,  in  the  twenty -third 
year  of  his  age.  His  sufferings  were  borne  with  patience  and 
resignation,  and  his  death  was  truly  that  of  the  righteous, 
calm  and  happy.  It  is  necessary  to  state,  in  relation  to  the 
ministry  of  Elder  Raynolds,  that  he  ever  warmly  and  decid- 
edly advocated  all  the  benevolent  operations  of  the  day,  not- 
withstanding the  strong  opposition  of  many  around  him;  and, 
had  his  life  been  prolonged,  the  church  would,  no  doubt,  have 
derived  from  him  most  efficient  aid  in  every  enterprize,  under- 
taken for  the  advancement  of  God's  glory,  and  the  diffusion 
of  truth. 


JAMES    0,    M'A  LL  I  S  T  ER 


James  D.  M'Allister,  between  the  years  1823  and  1834, 
was  devotedly  engaged  in  the  ministry  of  reconciliation;  most 
of  the  time  in  eastern  "Virginia.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that 
very  few  particulars  respecting  his  life  have  been  furnished  to 
the  biographer,  although  considerable  effort  has  been  made  to 
obtain  them. 

After  he  commenced  his  ministerial  career  in  Pittsylvania, 
the  county  which  gave  him  birth,  he  spent  twelve  months  or 
more,  with  that  eminently  devoted  man  of  God,  Elder  Abner 
W.  Clopton.  Being  most  of  the  time  in  the  society  of  his 
talented  instructor,  and  having  the  advantage  of  an  excellent 
library,  he  greatly  improved  in  general  knowledge,  and  thus, 
to  some  extent,  was  supplied  a  deficiency  occasioned  by  the 
want  of  early  education. 

During  his  residence- in  Charlotte  county,  he  assisted  Mr. 
Clopton  in  the  labors  of  the  pulpit,  and  rapidly  grew  in  the 
estimation  of  the  people,  as  destined  to  become  one  of  the 
most  useful  of  Virginia's  sons.  He  occupied  his  time  for 
several  years  in  itinerating,  after  which,  with  the  advice  of 
his  instructor,   he  accepted  the   pastorate  of  the  first  Baptist 


488  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

church  in  Lynchburg,  at  their  special  invitation.  This  posi- 
tion was  occupied  more  than  twelve  months.  Under  rather 
discouraging  circumstances,  he  labored  with  much  activity  in 
pastoral  employments,  devoting  his  leisure  time  to  study.  To 
some  extent,  he  was  successful  in  promoting  the  welfare  of 
the  church. 

When  the  Virginia  Baptist  Education  Society  commenced 
its  operations,  he  was  induced  to  become  one  of  its  beneficia- 
ries, for  the  purpose  of  still  farther  improving  his  education. 
He  entered  the  family  of  Elder  Edward  Baptist,  under  whose 
tuition  the  society  had  determined  to  place  its  young  ^len. 
It  is  not  thought  he  made  much  progress  while  with  Mr.  Bap- 
tist, as  he  had  acquired,  by  frequent  changes  of  location,  such 
habits  as  were  unfavorable  to  severe  application.  Beside,  an 
interesting  revival  of  religion  commenced  in  Pow  hatan  county 
in  which  he  was  laboriously  engaged;  indeed  he  was  one  of  its 
principal  instruments.  After  having  engaged  for  several 
months  in  preaching  from  house  to  house,  and  reaping  the 
field,  which  was  then  white  unto  the  harvest,  at  his  request, 
the  education  board  were  induced  to  give  him  an  honorable 
dismission  from  their  care,  that  he  might  employ  himself 
wholly  in  the  duties  of  the  ministry.  He  afterwards  labored 
in  Richmond,  and  its  vicinity,  in  Charlotte,  Halifax  and  Bed- 
ford, with  much  success.  In  the  last  named  county  he  closed 
his  days,  at  the  house  of   Capt.  B.  Sydnor,  in  the  year  1834. 

These  few  allusions  to  the  life  of  this  estimable  young  man 
are  mostly  derived  from  the  memory  of  the  writer.  The  Lord 
honored  him  as  the  means  of  much  good  to  many  of  his  fel- 
low men,  although  he  was  removed  by  death  when  not  more 
than  thirty  years  of  age.  The  style  o.f  his  sermons  partook 
of  the  florid,  his  language  was  grammatical,  and  quite  appro- 
priate, while  his  manner  was  animated  and  frequently  very 
impassioned.  Usually  he  commanded  the  deeply  interested 
attention  of  his  auditors.  By  all  who  knew  him  intimately, 
he  was  regarded  as  a  devotedly  pious  servant  of  Jesus  Christ. 


CRISPIN    DICKENSON. 


CRISPIN    DICKENSON 


459 


Although  the  name  of  this  servant  of  God  was  enrolled 
with  the  ministry  of  reconciliation  but  for  a  brief  season,  it 
will  be  gratifying  to  many  to  preserve  a  memorial  of  his 
character  and  labors.  He  was  born  in  Pittsylvania,  Nov.  19th, 
1787.  In  his  twenty-fifth  year,  he  was  the  subject  of  conver- 
sion, and  joined  a  church  in  his  native  county,  For  several 
years  he  remained  a  private  member,  exercising  a  good  in- 
fluence, and  adorning  the  doctrine  of  God  his  Saviour.  But 
it  was  the  will  of  his  Master  that  he  should  not  remain  in  ob- 
scurity. The  field  of  ministerial  labor  was  spread  open  before 
him,  and  he  was  invited  to  enter  it.  He  was  ordained  March 
24,  1827,  and  took  charge  of  Locust  Union  church,  on  Pig 
river,  and  Ararat,  on  Sandy  river. 

For  these  churches  he  labored  with  commendable  fidelity, 
and  was  not  left  without  tokens  of  divine  favor.  The  word 
preached  was  made  the  wisdom  of  God,  and  the  power  of 
God  unto  salvation.  In  both  of  these  churches,  within  two 
years  after  his  ordination,  a  revival  of  religion  was  expe- 
rienced. The  dormant  powers  of  the  saints  were  aroused. 
Their  long  neglected  harps  were  taken  down  from  the  willows, 
and  a  holy  activity  began  to  characterize  all  their  exertions. 
As  a  necessary  consequence,  an  interest  in  favor  of  eternal 
things  was  soon  awakened  among  the  unconverted.  God's 
blessing  descended,  and  the  cry  was  heard  what  shall  1  do  to 
be  saved.  Numbers  were  brought  to  understand  and  rejoice 
in  the  plan  of  salvation  through  the  atonement  of  Christ,  and 
were  added  to  the  churches. 

During  this  time  of  ingathering,  Elder  Dickenson,  in  season 
and  out  of  season,  labored  in  preaching  the  word,  while  his 
talents  continued  manifestly  to  improve.  His  influence  among 
the  churches  over  which  he  presided,  and  in  the  Roanoke 
Association,  more  and  more  enlarged.  But  he  was  not  long 
allowed  to  retain  his  station  in  I  he  field  of  labor.  The  Lord 
in  his  inscrutable  wisdom,  determined  to  summons  him  to  the 
world  of  spirits.  How  long  he  was  sick  is  not  known  by  the 
42 


490  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

writer,  but  in  his  last  hours  he  manifested  much  composure, 
willingly  resigning  himself  into  the  hands  of  his  Redeemer. 
He  died  Oct.  28th,  1832. 


JAMES    0.    ALDERSON. 
James  O.  Alderson,  the  youngest  son  of  George  and  Sa- 
rah Alderson,  and  grandson  of  the   Rev.  John   Alderson,  was 
born  in   Kenhawa  county,  October,  1800.     At  four  years  of 
age  his  father  died,  leaving  a  wife  and  seven  children;  shortly 
after  the  death  of  his  father,  his  mother  removed   to   Monroe 
county,  and  settled  on  Greenbrier  river; — in  this  neighborhood 
he  lived  wilh  his  mother  until  he  was  about   nineteen  years  of 
age.     Possessing  a  weak  constitution,  and  having  by  this  time 
acquired  a  limited  education,  he  left  his  mother  in  the  care  of 
an  older   brother,  and   commenced   teaching  school.     During 
his  earlier  years,  he  was  much  exercised  on  the  subject  of  re- 
ligion; but  mingling   with  the  world,  these  impressions  would 
wear  away,  and  he  would  again  and  again  seem  much  carried 
away  with  its    pleasures.     Shortly  after  his  marriage,  which 
was  in  his  twenty -fifth  year,  he  again  began  to  think  seriously 
upon  eternity.     He  was  often  awakened  to  a  sense  of  his  con- 
dition, and  was  at  length  brought  deeply  to   feel   the  necessity 
of  a  change  in  his  heart.     In  his  twenty-seventh  year,  he  be- 
came a  member  of  the   Baptist  church.     Subject   to   melan- 
choly, and   often  doubting  his  own  acceptance,  he  still   mani- 
fested the  purpose  of  his  heart  to  follow  his  Redeemer.    From 
the   first  of  his    profession  of  religion,  he   seemed  much   im- 
pressed with   the   condition  of  his   fellow   sinners,  and   deter- 
mined to  devote  himself  to    the  great  work  of  inviting   them 
to  Christ.    Immediately  after  his  baptism,  he  commenced  and 
continued  exhorting  sinners  within  the   bounds  of  the  church 
for  twelve  months,  when  he  was   licensed  to  preach,  and   was 
ordained  at  the  Greenbrier  Association,  September,  1830. 

From  the  period  of  his  ordination,  he  became  a  most  zeal- 
ous laborer  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord.  He  engaged  as  a 
missionary  in  the  Greenbrier  Association,  under  the  direction 


THOMAS    CONDUIT.  491 

of  the  central  committee,  and  never  did  any  man  more  rapidly 
improve.  During  the  year  1831,  his  efforts  were  attended  with 
evident  tokens  of  divine  approbation.  Many  seals  were  given  to 
his  ministry.  Between  eighty  and  one  hundred  were  baptized  by 
him  in  this  year.  Through  the  inclement  season  of  the  winter 
months,  he  continued  his  indefatigable  labors,  though  his  consti- 
tuti  n  was  evidently  declining  under  the  influence  of  disease. 
He  ceased  not  to  preach  until  within  about  two  weeks  before  his 
death,  when  he  returned  home  scarcely  able  to  sit  up.  He  died 
of  consumption  the  13th  April,  1832. 

In  the  early  part  of  his  last  illness,  he  seemed  to  have  the 
most  humbling  sense  of  the  depravity  of  his  heart,  and  the  in- 
finite purity  of  God,  which  filled  him  with  doubts  and  fears  as 
to  his  state;  these,  however,  gave  way,  after  a  day  or  two,  to  a 
calm  serenity,  a:id  humble  confluence  in  his  Redeemer,  which 
continued  with  him  to  the  last.  He  left  a  wife  and  three  chil- 
dren to  mourn  his  death;  and  long  will  his  removal  be  mourn- 
ed, and  his  memory  cherished,  by  the  churches  that  enjoyed 
his  short  but  useful  labors. 


THOMAS    CONDUIT. 

The  modest,  unpretending  goodness  of  this  young  servant 
of  the  Redeemer,  was  such,  that  an  intimate  acquaintance  was 
necessary  to  be  prepared  to  appreciate  his  real  worth.  Some 
time  about  the  year  1831,  he  became  a  follower  of  Christ,  by 
uniting  with  the  Euon  Baptist  church,  in  Caroline  county,  un- 
der the  care  of  Elder  Micou.  For  many  months  he  was  anx- 
iously asking,  in  reference  to  the  ministry,  '-Lord,  what  wilt 
thou  have  me  to  do?"  and  having  become  satisfied  that  it  was 
his  duty  to  preach  the  gospel,  he  connected  himself  with  the 
Rappahannock  academy,  for  the  better  cultivation  of  his  intel- 
lectual powers. 

At  this  institution  he  remained  for  some  time,  and  then  be- 
gan in  public  to  recommend  a  crucified  Redeemer.  The  fin- 
ger of  Providence  pointed  him  to  a  destitute  region  in  Charles 
and  St.  Mary's  counties,  Maryland.  Two  churches,  originated 


492  BIOGRAPHY    OF    THOMAS    CONDUIT. 

mostly  by  the  labors  of  Samuel  L.  Straughan,  principally  en- 
gaged his  attention;  and  during  his  short  stay  among  them, 
his  labors  were  blessed  in  a  remarkable  degree.  Many  were 
added  to  the  churches.  He,  however,  considered  it  his  duty 
to  visit  the  south,  and  knew  not  but  he  might  there  perma- 
nently locate  himself.  But  God  had  determined  he  should  re- 
turn to  his  brethren  in  Maryland,  not  indeed  to  remain,  but  to 
greet  them,  and  then  to  take  his  transit  to  a  better  world. 
His  return,  and  the  circumstances  of  his  death,  are  here  refer- 
ed  to  by  a  ministering  brother,  and  with  this  allusion,  we  shall 
close  the  sketch.     He  died  September  12th,  1836. 

"To  improve  his  health,  and  for  other  purposes,  he  had  remov- 
ed to  the  south.  While  there,  reflecting  on  the  destitute  situa- 
tion in  which  he  had  left  his  people,  he  became  convinced  that 
it  was  his  duty  to  return,  and  immediately  did  so.  The  wri- 
ter was  present  when  they  met,  and  never  did  he  see  people 
apparently  more  overjoyed;  some  smiling,  others  weeping,  and 
all  appeared  to  say,  'it  is  enough,'  &c.  He  had  remained  with 
them  but  a  few  weeks,  when  the  Dover  Association  commenc- 
ing its  annual  session,  he  determined  to  visit  it,  and  endeavor 
to  excite  the  sympathies  of  the  ministering  brethren,  in  behalf 
of  that  destitute  people.  He  accordingly  attended  the  Asso- 
ciation, delivered  an  address,  and  succeeded  in  enlisting  some 
eight  or  ten  of  the  brethren,  who  agreed  to  go  over  statedly, 
and  preach  for  them.  And  now,  he  is  returning  homeward, 
thankful  to  God  for  the  success  with  which  he  has  met,  and 
delighted  with  the  prospect  of  bearing  the  pleasing  intelligence 
to  his  people. — But,  oh!  how  true,  that  'even  in  the  midst  of 
life  we  are  in  death!'  Having  spent  some  little  time  in  Caro- 
line with  his  relatives  and  friends,  and  started  on  his  return 
to  his  beloved  people  in  Maryland,  he  had  gone  but  a  little 
distance  before  disease  began  its  ravages,  and  he  found  that  he 
could  not  travel.  He  put  up  at  the  house  of  sister  Lucy  Gra- 
vatt,  of  Portroyal.  A  physician  was  called  in,  and  every  aid 
afforded;  but  death  was  not  to  be  diverted  from  his  purpose. 
God  saw  best  to  take  him  away;  and  I  have  every  reason  to 
believe  he  is  gone  to  a  better  world.  He  lived  but  a  kw  days 
after  his  attack." 


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Lives  of  Virginia  Baptist  ministers. 

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